asked the Minister for Finance if a decision to carry out a drainage scheme on the River Swilly has been taken.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of River Swilly.
32.
A scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, for the River Swilly catchment will be considered in due course. At this stage, however, I cannot say when it is likely to be reached in the arterial drainage programme.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Minister for Local Government was reported in the newspapers recently as having told the farmers in Letterkenny that the upper streches of the River Swilly will soon be surveyed with a view to drainage? That information was given to the farmers of Letterkenny before 10th January.
The Deputy is probably confusing this matter with the embankments of the Swilly which will be surveyed as soon as possible. It is quite a separate job.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Minister for Local Government is reported as having stated specifically that drainage work on the River Swilly will be carried out? In view of the fact that this river is likely to be surveyed and in view of certain survey work on the Lennon River in Donegal which is being undertaken under the intermediate system of drainage, will the Parliamentary Secretary reconsider the decision?
That is a separate question.
Surely it is not a separate question to ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he is aware that a Minister of the Government is reported as saying they intend to drain the Swilly River, when he informs Dáil Eireann that he does not know when they propose to drain the Swilly River, and have no plans for draining it.
I think I gave a perfectly clear answer. The Minister for Local Government was referring to the repair of breaches in the embankment which we hope to undertake as soon as possible.
There is no question of the drainage of the River Swilly?
The actual drainage of the catchment area must take its turn according to its place on the priority list but the embankment job is quite separate.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary tell any Deputy who asks for the information what is the priority list which he mentioned?
That is a separate question.
It is on the records of this House.
I should be delighted to find out if my constituency is mentioned.
Question No. 33.