asked the Minister for Finance when the Office of Public Works intend to drain the river Shivan which is a tributary of the Suck.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Drainage.
74.
The Shivan river could only be dealt with by the Office of Public Works as part of a comprehensive drainage scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, for the Suck catchment as a whole. As the drainage of the Suck is tied up with the Shannon flood problem it has been decided that a scheme for the Suck must await developments in relation to the main Shannon.
When can we hope to have that?
It will not be too long now. The survey is proceeding.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary mean the Shannon?
(Interruptions.)
75.
asked the Minister for Finance when the Government intend to provide the necessary money for the Dunkellin drainage scheme, County Galway.
The investigation of a scheme for the Dunkellin catchment is proceeding and it is expected that a preliminary report and estimate of cost will be ready about March, 1971. If the scheme is economic the statutory requirements of local exhibition, consideration of observations submitted by interested parties and consultation with other Government Departments will have to be complied with before works are put in hands. All going well the works stage may be reached in 1972.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the dissatisfaction in that area at the apparent lack of interest shown by the Government in this catchment area? His predecessor is on record here in this House as saying that work would be started on this drainage scheme in 1970.
We cannot have a speech on this question.
Only a short one.
The Deputy is making an allegation. I am sure he cannot quote any such statement made by any predecessor of mine. This survey was started in 1964 and it has been proceeded with in the normal way.
All I can say about the drainage of this area is that if it is promised for as long as the Shannon was promised it will never be done.
Question No. 76.