HC Deb 29 July 1909 vol 8 cc1343-4
Mr. PATRICK MEEHAN

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the statement in the Report of the Viceregal Commission appointed to inquire into the flooding of the River Barrow and its tributaries, to the effect that in various parts of the river islands have been formed, that they have been planted with osiers by the Barrow Navigation Company, the result being a rapid enlargement of the obstructions by silt detritus arrested by roots and brandies of those plants, two notable instances of which occur at Carlow and Leighlin Bridge, where large islands so planted with osiers exist in the river immediately above the bridge, lessening the waterway and causing floods above them to rise to a greater height than they otherwise would; and whether he will take steps to compel the Barrow Navigation Company to remove the obstructions?

The HON. MEMBER

further asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the statement in the Report of the Viceregal Commission appointed to inquire into the flooding of the River Barrow and its tributaries, referring to the Lower Barrow below the town of Carlow, that the river is obstructed by weirs erected for the purpose of navigation; there are instances, too, of wharves having been built into the river by private parties, one instance, at Mill Ford, of the mill-owner, for the purpose of enlarging his mill, having extended the building about 25 feet into the river and so permanently blocked up and rendered useless the eastern side of the bridge; and whether he will take steps to have the obstructions removed?

Mr. CHERRY

I will answer these two questions together. The attention of my right hon. Friend has been called to the statements referred to, which are contained in a Paper prepared by Mr. Richard Hassard, a member of the Castletown Commission of 1885. I am not aware that there is any power under the existing law to deal with such obstructions on the Barrow.

Mr. P. MEEHAN

Is it the intention of the Government to introduce legislation with regard to arterial drainage in Ireland?

Mr. CHERRY

I am not aware of any such intention.