HC Deb 12 March 1908 vol 185 cc1770-1
MR. VINCENT KENNEDY (Cavan, W.)

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), if he can say whether the Conservators of Fisheries in Limerick are taking steps to erect a grating in the mill race at Pollereagh, in the valley of the Inny; and, in view of the fact that this obstruction would cause serious flooding and consequent damage to crop land in the district affected, and that the people of the district at a large meeting protested against the proposal, alleging that their houses would be flooded, will he make inquiries with a view to securing the abandonment of the proposal to erect this grating.

I beg also to ask Mr. Attorney 'General for Ireland if he can say whether the Commissioners of Fisheries are about having a strong grating erected in the passage of the Inny River; will this grating interfere with the free flow of the river, and an there any mill races in this river; and, an view of the anxiety of the people who live along the valley of the Inny River lest the proposed erection may cause serious flooding and damage to their property, will he make representations to the Commissioners with a view to safeguarding their interests.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. CHERRY,) Liverpool, Exchange

My hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question, and the answer includes a reply to the next Question which, the hon. Member has addressed "to myself. The Limerick Board of Conservators are not taking steps to erect a grating in the mill race referred to. They have, however, taken proceedings against the owner of a mill at Pollereagh to compel him to comply with the statute law which requires the erection of gratings at mill races for the protection of salmon. The Department possess the power to exempt, in whole, or in part, owners or occupiers of mills from the necessity to erect such gratings. If any person considers he is entitled to such an exemption he should make application to the Department, and the case will be investigated. The owner of the mill referred to has not made such an application to the Department. As regards the allegation that flooding may tie caused, the Department have re quested the local Board of Conservators to suspend proceedings pending further inquiry by the Department.