asked the Minister for Finance (a) whether the Government has as yet considered the Drainage Commission Report with a view to action; (b) when he expects the urgent work referred to in the Brick and Cashen catchment area to start.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage Commission Report.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part I am aware of the views expressed in the report of the Drainage Commission as to the Brick and Cashen area but I cannot undertake at this stage to indicate when work may be started in any particular catchment area.
Will the Minister, perhaps, take into account that the longer he or the Government postpones dealing with the matter the greater the expense will be? For two reasons: one, because the damage will he cumulative, and, secondly, because the costs will go up. Further, is he aware that a great deal of damage is done every car in that particular district? Would he or the Goverment not consider favourably the possibility, at all events, of immediately under taking preventive works and some restorative works that might prevent a great deal of damage and that would be useful for a final scheme? Finally, does the Minister propose, as is suggested in a later paragraph of the report — I think it is paragraph 530 — that a survey should be undertaken, even prior to legislation, in that and one or two other districts?
While it is quite possible that a survey will be made, I cannot say that the survey would be confined to this catchment area or other areas. What the Deputy says about the damage that is being done and that has been done over a number of years applies equally to a number of other catchment areas about which representations have also been made to us that the matter is very urgent.
May I ask the Minister to look at the paragraph that deals with priority?
I can assure the Deputy I have seen it.
He will find there are two special areas mentioned there, one of which is the one that is the subject of this question. Would he not think of undertaking at least some preventive work immediately? The Government has the power. Would it not be possible to get some co-ordination between the Board of Works and the Land Commission in that particular respect? The Minister will, I am sure, admit that the damage is cumulative. It must be. Every year makes the prospect of dealing with it more costly. I would ask the Minister to look into it. It is extremely urgent. There is unemployment there. Bogs cannot be worked and hay is destroyed.
I certainly will have it looked into but I know there are urgent representations being made from a variety of other catchment areas also.
Is there any chance of anything being done before the year 1951?
I do not know. I cannot give any guarantee with regard to that.