asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that a large number of small farmers residing in East Mayo are unable to avail of the land rehabilitation scheme because there is no outfall for the water; and, if so, if he will indicate when he intends to have the tributary rivers which rise in East Mayo and empty in Lough Gara cleaned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cleaning of Mayo Rivers.
The drainage of the rivers flowing into Lough Gara to which the Deputy refers can be undertaken under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, only as part of a comprehensive scheme for the entire Boyle River catchment area in which they lie. I am not in a position to say when such a scheme can be undertaken.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say if a scheme for that whole catchment area is envisaged in the near future?
I have given a reply. The part of the works that we carried out were carried out for the Department of Agriculture by the Commissioners of Public Works as agents for the Department of Agriculture.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider requestingthe Commissioners of Public Works to investigate the possibility of doing all the catchment area from Lough Gara up as it would seem that the level is lowered now so much that the scheme should be ripe for doing that?
In other words, the Deputy means that I should request the Commissioners of Public Works to do every river and lake in Mayo to the exclusion of the rest of the country?
No. There is a great number of other works to be carried out.