asked the Minister for Finance if he will indicate (a) the rivers that have been scheduled for survey during (i) the present financial year, (ii) the financial year 1951-2, and (b) the rivers which have been surveyed to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Survey of Rivers.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, engineering surveys for the preparation of schemes under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, are made on the basis of a catchment area, which may include several individual rivers. Since the passing of the Act, surveys have been completed in the catchments of the Brosna, Glyde and Dee, Feale, Akeragh Lough—Banna, and River Lee (Tralee).
During the present financial year, surveys have been in progress in the Corrib and Nenagh river catchment areas and those surveys will be continued in the financial year 1951-52, together with surveys in any other catchment areas which it may be possible to reach.
In addition, surveys have been undertaken on behalf of the Department of Agriculture for the purposes of the land rehabilitation project on the Rye river, County Kildare and part of the Boyle river, County Roscommon. Further surveys on behalf of that Department in areas not yet precisely determined will be carried out in the coming year 1951-52.
If it is possible to reach the survey stage in catchments outside those mentioned by the Parliamentary Secretary, would he indicate what catchment areas will be taken?
There are 40 major and 60 minor. All of these are very necessary and will be reached as quickly as we can reach them—the Suck, the Moy, the Maine, the Inny, the Boyne, the Erne, the Suir, the Nore, the Blackwater and others.
The Parliamentary Secretary has given us a list of the catchment areas in which a survey is proceeding and will proceed next year and he has indicated that, should it be found possible, the survey of other catchment areas will be undertaken next year. In the event of its being found possible to undertake the survey of additional areas, what are the immediate areas which the Commissioners of Public Works regard as the most essential?
I will consult the Government with regard to that when the time comes.
Surely I am entitled to get information on a question like this. Surely the Commissioners of Public Works know now——
The Deputy can put down a question on the matter.
The Deputy was there himself and he must be aware——
I am aware of the fact that you are trying to bluff this House.