andMr. Hegarty asked the Minister for the Environment (1) the progress that has been made in alleviating the flooding of Kanturk, Mallow and Fermoy; (2) if any compensation will be paid to the victims of the recent flood; and (3) if an application has been made for aid to the EEC Disaster Fund and, if so, when.

Following the flooding in the Blackwater Valley I received submissions from a number of interested parties regarding the matters raised by the Deputies. I am giving these matters very detailed consideration and I hope to make a decision on them in the immediate future.

However, as an interim measure I have allocated a special road grant of £30,000 to Cork County Council for flood damage repairs in locations which have yet to be agreed with the council. I understand also that assistance was given locally by the Southern Health Board and by the Irish Red Cross Society.

A meeting was also convened by my Department on 18 December 1980 to discuss arrangements for the preparation of a local emergency plan to cope with any future flooding. The attendance included officials from Cork County Council and the Departments of Defence, Health, Justice, Transport (Meteorological Service) and the Office of Public Works. Arrangements are being made to hold further meetings to consider the preparation of this plan.

Is the Minister aware of the disappointment caused to the people of the area due to the fact that he gave an undertaking to a deputation last December to draw up an emergency plan immediately? This is three months later and despite constant reminders we have not seen any emergency plan.

I am sure the Deputy would wish that the plan when drawn up would be adequate to handle any future emergency. There is no undue delay. There are continuing discussions with various officials and Departments and the Cork County Council.

What would happen if we had a flood in the morning? Would the Minister then consider it an undue delay?

The preparation of this emergency plan is going ahead.

There was no direct answer about the question of aid from EEC sources.

That question is still being discussed. We have received some indication of the size of the claim from a number of towns but from one specific town which was very much involved we have not yet heard.

Does the Minister know that a Minister of State from his Department visited the area at the time of the disaster?

Yes, of course. He did so at my request.

Is the Minister aware that Deputy Fahey gave certain undertakings to the people of Mallow at that time?

I am not so aware.

A reading of any newspaper would tell the Minister that he did so. Does the Minister intend to stand over those undertakings?

Deputy Fahey, Minister of State, on his visit to the area was looking particularly at the local authority implications. I met one of the local authorities immediately with an allocation of £30,000 for flood damage repairs.

Ceist 20.

Can the people of Mallow now take it that he was talking through his hat — is that correct? Another Minister of State speaking out of the side of his mouth.