Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I have been actively involved with residents in the Drummullan area of County Cavan to which the Minister of State referred and know that Cavan County Council has been in regular contact with his officials in Trim. The residents appreciate the co-operation and the willingness of the Minister of State's officials to advance the particular project. Approximately €250,000 is required to carry out the necessary flood relief works in the area. As I an anxious that that necessary approval issue to the county council at the earliest possible date, I would very much appreciate it if the Minister of State would discuss the matter with his officials. There are other areas in respect of which the council will be making applications for financial assistance, including Ballyhaise and Drung. As these areas are flooded on a 12-month basis, land is lying fallow and often people are unable to get to their homes or farms. In a county such as Cavan in which there is little drainage of the river system under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 there is a huge burden on the council. I would very much appreciate it, therefore, if the Minister of State would designate it as one of the pilot scheme areas for the channel remediation works to which he referred.

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