asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (1) the extra amount of flooding in the river Shannon caused by the Brosna arterial drainage scheme, (2) the total cost of the Corrib Clare arterial drainage scheme up to 1st July, 1959, and when he expects the scheme to be completed, and (3) the position as regards the Suck arterial drainage scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage Schemes.
10.
(1) There is no evidence that any extra flooding on the Shannon has resulted from the Brosna drainage works which were completed in 1955.
(2) The cost of the Corrib-Clare arterial drainage scheme to 1st July, 1959, is £1,870,000 approximately. The scheme is expected to be completed in 1964.
(3) The question of a drainage scheme for the Suck catchment area is closely bound up with the River Shannon flood problem which is under preliminary investigation arising out of the Rydell Report. Accordingly, I cannot say when it may be possible to carry out a drainage scheme for the Suck catchment.
Not so long ago, the Parliamentary Secretary made a statement that it was on account of the Rydell Report that the Suck was held up, that is, because Mr. Rydell reported that any drainage on the Suck would increase the flooding on the Shannon. Now we find out that the Brosna, when drained into the Shannon, caused no extra flooding on the Shannon. How, then, can the Parliamentary Secretary make out that any drainage on the Suck would cause extra flooding on the Shannon?
Perhaps the Deputy will get all the detailed information in the Rydell Report and I refer him to paragraph 29. In any event, the positive decision which held up any further proceedings on the Suck was a decision by his Government when he was Parliamentary Secretary in charge of the Office.
That is not so. You tried that before.
Will the Deputy permit me to tell him that when he was Parliamentary Secretary, holding the position which I now have——
Does this correspond to the new look?
There was a new look, in any event, as a result of the Rydell Report and directions were given to the engineers to cease their operations on the preparation of the design.
May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary has the present Government accepted the Rydell Report?
Yes.
The outgoing Government did not accept it.
They did accept it.
They did not accept it.
They made decisions on it.
Well you know they did not, because it was all wrong and there was no heed given to it.
The last Government made decisions on the Rydell Report and we have honoured them.