asked the Minister for Finance (a) when was the report of the Drainage Commission submitted to the Minister; (b) whether the Government has yet considered that report; (c) when the report will be published; (d) whether the Minister is in a position to state when he expects action to be taken on the recommendations made by the commission.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - The Drainage Commission.
The report of the Drainage Commission was presented to me on the 16th August, 1940, but consideration of the report by the Government has not yet been completed. It is not, therefore, possible to indicate when the report will be published, or when such action as may be considered desirable on the commission's recommendations will be taken.
Do I understand the Minister to imply that the report has been considered but it has not been fully considered? The language used by the Minister was that it has not been completely considered. Does that imply that it has got a considerable amount of consideration from the Government?
Well, the fact is that it has got some consideration departmentally, but none by the Government as a Government.
This is a matter which was looked on as of considerable urgency for a variety of reasons. Does not the Minister consider it is urgent now, as more damage is being done every year owing to the fact that no work is being undertaken, pending action under this report? Has the Government not considered it worth its while in the last seven or eight months to give any consideration whatsoever to this report?
It would be wrong to say that the Government did not consider it worth its while. I have not had time, as Minister for Finance, to examine it, and until it has been examined by my Department and by myself, and until certain recommendations which I will probably make to the Government have been prepared, the Government itself cannot consider it, and it has not arrived at that stage yet.
The Ministers are working too hard!
That is right. I am glad the Deputy realises it.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, will the Minister advert to the fact that the work which might probably be undertaken on the recommendations of the Drainage Commission would contribute more materially than any other scheme to the relief of unemployment, which has been exacerbated by the crisis, and bearing that in mind will he expedite consideration of this report and action upon it?
I am afraid I cannot accept the Deputy's premises, and therefore I cannot accept his conclusions.
Surely the drainage work envisaged will employ a very large volume of direct labour? I think the Parliamentary Secretary will say that drainage work is one thing which consumes more labour than almost any other relief scheme.
The Parliamentary Secretary will say nothing of the kind.
Does not the Minister think that, if Deputies of the House, members of the Oireachtas, had an opportunity of reading this report, they might be in a position to make suggestions which would help the Minister in speeding up the proceedings?
I will be very happy to get it published as soon as I can.
In addition to the matter of unemployment, I would ask the Minister to consider this point —I am sure the Parliamentary Secretary will at least agree to this—that every season which passes creates more damage in a number of the rivers of this country, and consequently will pile on the expenses if the Government ever finds time to consider this report.
I wonder would the Deputy agree to this, that, if we are to believe all we hear in this House about drainage schemes, when they have been completed there is more harm done by the work than was being done before?
Get rid of your Board of Works and your Parliamentary Secretary then.
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the Barrow Drainage Ratepayers' Association gave evidence before the Drainage Commission with reference to their case for a reduction in the drainage charge, and, in view of the unsatisfactory state of this problem and the possibility of the Drainage Commission having dealt in their report with this aspect of the case, he will have the report published immediately.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am not in a position to state when it will be possible to publish the Report of the Drainage Commission; as already indicated in my reply to Deputy Davin on the 5th February, the question of publication must be deferred pending consideration of the report by the Government.