asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the River Ayle is subject to flooding along its entire course; that this flooding is the occasion of serious damage, particularly in the townlands of Arderry, Glensaul, Garranagerra, Tonaglana and Shraheens; if he will have the course of this river surveyed immediately with a view to having it cleaned and deepened; and if he will indicate how soon this work will be put in hands.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flooding in Western Counties.
I can make no forecast of when the Corrib Catchment, of which the River Ayle forms a part, will be dealt with under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the very heavy losses suffered by farmers in the Counties of Galway, Roscommon and Mayo owing to flooding arising from the lack of arterial drainage in the valleys of the Rivers Moy, Dalgan, Lung, Gloor and Black, and of their tributaries; if he will state when it is proposed to implement the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, in this area; and the reasons why the Act has not been put into operation to date.
I am aware that flooding takes place in the vicinity of the rivers mentioned, but at this stage I cannot give any indication as to when this condition will be eased by work under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.
May I point out that it is more than two years since the Drainage Bill was passed? We were given to understand when that Bill was going through the House that the Government was in a hurry to pass it, yet so far I cannot see any fruit arising from that passage of that piece of legislation. The members of the Opposition were accused of holding up the Government in their efforts to have that very important piece of legislation passed into law. We still find that very little is being done in regard to drainage. Are the Government sincere in their professed anxiety to deal with drainage?
We shall have an opportunity of discussing that matter when the motion in relation to the matter which is, I understand, on the Order Paper comes up for discussion.
There should be no need to discuss it. I do not see why these works should not be attended to.
I am not responsible for the fact that we shall be called upon to discuss it.
Will the Government give an early opportunity of discussing it?
The ordinary procedure that is followed in regard to motions of this kind will govern this motion.
In view of the many problems of this nature which exist throughout the country will the Government give priority to this motion?
That is a matter which the Whip of the Deputy's Party should take up with the Government.