John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the Land Commission will arrange to have urgent remedial works carried out to lands at Ballysteen, Askeaton, County Limerick, to ensure that the farmers' lands are no longer flooded by waters from the River Shannon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9329/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As successor to the Irish Land Commission, my Department does not have responsibility for the maintenance, repair or restoration of river banks, embankments or other works to prevent flooding. While responsibility for such works normally rests with the property owner, the Irish Land Commission retained a portion of the purchase money due to former owners of certain estates acquired by the State for the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of embankments on them. The retained funds were entrusted to the public trustee who is now an officer of my Department. The public trustee has responsibility for the investment of these funds and the income earned may be applied for the specific purposes described in the trust deed for each estate.

If the lands in question are located in an area subject to a trust fund, the persons concerned should contact the public trustee at my Department's Cavan office. In certain circumstances, assistance may be available from the county council or the Office of Public Works.