asked the Minister for Local Government whether the local authorities concerned have yet formulated schemes under the Local Authorities (Works) Act, 1949, for the drainage of the small rivers in SligoLeitrim, such as the Unshin, Douglas, Arrow, Bonnet and Duff, which do not figure on the priority list under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, and, if so, their nature.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sligo-Leitrim Drainage.
Proposals were formulated in previous years by the two county councils concerned for work on rivers and streams in their areas. In some cases the works provided for general improvements such as the removal of a limited number of obstructions, the removal of accumulated deposits and some re-garding of the banks. Where the proposals were suitable they were approved for execution under grants available to the councils. In other cases, particularly in the case of some of the rivers mentioned by the Deputy, the work proposed was of a more extensive nature providing for large-scale removal of rock obstructions, re-grading of the river channel throughout its length and such other heavy work. These latter works, being of arterial dimensions, would be outside the scope of schemes under the Local Authorities (Works) Act and accordingly they could not have been approved. Even work appropriate to the Act could not be approved in some cases where it would create downstream flooding necessitating drainage of an arterial character towards the outfall.