asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that the following rivers in West Cork cause flooding at certain times in the year and are in need of cleaning, viz., the Ouvane, Airgdeen, Dunmanway, Lisavaird, Savinose and Inchigeela; further, whether he has received any proposals for carrying out the work, and when it is expected that money for the purpose will be made available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clearing of West Cork Rivers.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether he received an application from the Cork County Council for a grant under the Local Authorities (Works) Act for the clearance of the Ouvane river adjacent to Kealkil, Bantry, and, if so, whether, in view of the benefit of this work, he will approve of the application.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 41 together.
A number of schemes for these rivers under the Local Authorities (Works) Act have been received over a period of years. Some have been approved and some had to be rejected for various reasons. The formulation of further schemes would be a matter for the county council in the first instance. There are no current proposals before me.
Arising out of the reply regarding the river mentioned in my question, the Ouvane has again and again been submitted by the county council to the Department. There are no local objections. The county council engineering officials tell us that it is a scheme which should be approved. I would like to know from the Minister what the Department's objection is to approving of this very deserving scheme? The objections are confined entirely to the Department of Local Government and that was the purpose in setting down questions in regard to this matter.
Whatever schemes have been submitted over the years have been rejected and there are no proposals at present before the Department in regard to any of the rivers in which the Deputy is interested.
This scheme has been submitted on at least three occasions.
It may have been submitted but it was rejected on three occasions.
Send it up the fourth time.