asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in relation to the proposed development of the hydro-electric scheme for the Cummeragh River, Waterville, he will state (1) the date on which it was decided to defer development work pending the outcome of the inquiry as to its effect on the fishing and tourist industries in the neighbourhood, (2) whether any local group, vested interest or any other person approached either his predecessor or himself with a request that development should be deferred, and, if so, if he will give details of such representations, and by whom and when they were made, and (3) whether the E.S.B. was informed of such representations, and whether directions were issued to the board in regard to them and, if so, the nature of such directions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterville Hydro-electric Scheme.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that a decision to defer development of the hydro-electric scheme for the Cummeragh River, pending an investigation of the effect of the scheme on the fisheries and, consequently, on tourist traffic, was taken by the board in December, 1953. No representations were made to me that development work should be deferred, but representations were made to my predecessor in January, 1953, by local tourist interests, who expressed anxiety that the development might have adverse effects on the fisheries and tourism. I do not think it would be appropriate that I should name those by whom the representations were made. These representations were brought to the notice of the E.S.B., but no directions to defer the development were issued. The E.S.B. were informed by my Department in December, 1953, that the Minister would view with concern a proposal not to proceed with this scheme.
Would the Minister state if the present Attorney-General, Deputy McGilligan, made representations at any time to the present Minister, or to his predecessor, on any aspect of this problem?
The present Attorney-General certainly made no representations to me about the matter, and never even mentioned any aspect of it to me. I cannot say whether he made any representations to my predecessor, but I do not think that the file shows that he did.