asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that a large number of farmers living in the River Moy area of County Mayo are anxious to carry out land rehabilitation schemes but cannot do so because of the flooded condition of the River Moy, and if he will take steps to have obstructions removed at Manulla, Foxford and Mountfalcon so as to bring about a temporary relief of the flooding in the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Mayo River Obstructions.
The answer to the first part of the question is, "Yes."
In reply to the second part of the question, I should like to point out to the Deputy that arterial drainage is not a function of the Department of Agriculture. In fact the Moy is scheduled for attention by the Office of Public Works under the arterial drainage programme. I should like, however, to inform the Deputy that I am arranging with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance that certain works on the main channels of a number of principal rivers will be undertaken by his office on behalf of my Department with the object of facilitating drainage operations under the land project. I should emphasise that these works will be distinct from, and will in no way interfere with, the arterial drainage programme.
They will, of course, be designed to have the effect of facilitating subsequent operations under that programme.
I hope that under this arrangement the work in which the Deputy is interested will be expedited.
Would it be fair to ask the Minister now to give us an indication of where these works are situated?
That I hope to undertake?
That you have asked the Office of Public Works to have carried out on your behalf.
At present the matter is the subject of discussion between my Department and the Office of Public Works. The works are on the Boyne, the Rye in County Kildare, the Moy, a river in Kerry, Tinacarra on the Boyle river and the Blackwater in Monaghan, but that is only the first stage of the programme.