§ Mr. JOHN O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the town of New Ross, on the River Barrow, was within the past week flooded by the overflow of that river; will he say for how long the business of the town was entirely stopped, and to what depth the houses of the town were filled with water; have the waters, if any, yet subsided or do they still remain; can he state the cause of the overflow, and is such preventable by any known available means or is legislation necessary; and, if the latter, will such be introduced at an early date?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed that on the 23rd April, owing to a very high spring tide, backed by south-easterly winds, part of the town of New Ross was flooded. Business was not stopped in the town itself, but in Rosbercon, on the opposite side of the river, the streets were flooded in some cases to a depth of 18 inches, and business was suspended for an hour and a half. When the tide fell the water ran off. This flooding occurs occasionally, and I am not aware of any means by which it could be prevented. It is not a matter for legislation.