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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Feb 1949

Vol. 114 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electrification Scheme.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) if he has approved of the Electricity Supply Board's proposal for the River Lee electrification scheme; and, if so, on what date was approval given; (b) what authority officials of the Electricity Supply Board had for notifying farmers and others in the Lee valley that part of their holdings would be taken over before receiving the Minister's sanction, and (c) when maps, etc., showing the area likely to be affected will be made available to interested parties.

On the 13th September, 1948, I approved in principle the board's general proposals for the hydro-electric development of the River Lee. To obtain an approval Order under Section 4 of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act, 1945, it is necessary that the board should submit a detailed scheme with maps showing the area to be affected by the development, and the sites of the various works to be carried out, together with an estimate of the cost of the scheme.

To allow of the preparation of a detailed scheme it is necessary that the area involved should be closely surveyed and hydrometric and geological investigations must be carried out. It is understood that these surveys and investigations have been in progress for some months, and owners of properties have, in a number of cases, been informed of the extent to which their properties may be affected by the scheme should it be carried out.

If, and when, a scheme is finally approved by Order under Section 4 of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act, 1945, the board shall under Section 9 of that Act prepare and hold open to inspection by persons concerned, plans and maps sufficient in quantity and character to show on adequate scales the extent of the works in relation to which they are deposited, and also all property proposed to be acquired for such works and also every interference proposed to be made for the said purpose with any property or any public road or bridge.

It is not possible at this stage to indicate precisely when it is likely that the maps, plans, etc., will be deposited for inspection, but I understand that the board hopes, subject to the Order being made, to be in a position to have them ready for inspection within the next three months.

May I take it that the Minister has not yet approved of the scheme and that the officials of the Electricity Supply Board who notified the holders of land in the particular area had no authority for notifying them that part of their land was about to be taken off them?

No. The Deputy may take it that I have not approved of the scheme, but the Deputy may not take it that the officials had not authority to indicate to the persons concerned that portion of their property which would be concerned in the scheme if the order was approved.

Do I take it that these officials should have informed these interested parties that there was an "if" involved in the matter?

I am sure they did.

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