asked the Minister for Finance whether he has received a request from a local committee to meet a deputation to discuss ways and means of having the River Lennon, County Donegal, cleaned, and, if so, if he will state (1) when the request was received, and (2) what action he has taken in the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cleaning of River Lennon.
The Commissioners of Public Works received on the 31st August, 1954, a communication from a local committee in which it was requested that a deputation be received jointly by the Ministers for the Departments concerned to discuss the drainage of the River Lennon. This river had formed the subject of a petition under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925. An examination is being made of the data obtained from the survey carried out under that Act in the light of more recent information regarding the flood flows in the catchment. There is the greatest difficulty in designing an economic scheme to meet the torrential character of the river.
Has the Minister indicated whether or not such a joint body of Ministers would meet a deputation to consider that matter—would that be possible?
Just at the moment we find that no useful purpose would be served. We are getting together data obtained under the 1925 survey and certain information we have got since regarding the flow of the river. Until such time as that work is completed no useful purpose would be served in receiving a deputation.
If any useful purpose could be seen to be served would the Parliamentary Secretary then reconsider the request?
Certainly, if a useful purpose would be served.