asked the Minister for Local Government whether he intends to make available to the Roscommon County Council the necessary financial accommodation so that a very urgent drainage scheme on the Feorish River may be put in hands immediately.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of Roscommon River.
19.
A scheme for the drainage of Feorish river has been submitted by Roscommon County Council. A number of technical and other issues arising from my Department's examination of the project are being taken up with the county council. The question of financial accommodation does not arise at the present stage.
Is it not a fact that at least three reminders have been sent to the Minister's Department in the past few months in connection with this very important work and, in view of that, could the Minister not expedite matters so that this work will be undertaken during the fine weather?
There has not been any avoidable delay. The matter is under consideration by my Department in conjunction with the county council.
I take it from the Minister's reply that there is a definite possibility that the Minister's decision will be made known in time to have the work carried out during the coming summer and autumn?
In fact, the Deputy cannot even take it from me that there will be a decision that will enable work to be carried out now or at any other time under this proposal. That is what is being examined at the moment.
Surely the Minister has already created a precedent by giving a grant, and rightly so, for the drainage of the Crannagh Cross river and in view of the fact that this is similar work and that he informed a deputation some time ago that he would give the same treatment to each river, will he not now agree as a matter of grave urgency to give a grant before the summer runs out?
The Deputy will recall that in my discussions with the deputation and subsequent to the reception of that deputation and the allowing of work on the Crannagh Cross river to qualify for certain assistance, it was pointed out specifically that such assistance towards that job was not to be regarded as creating a precedent for any other work in that county or any other county.
Do I take it from the Minister's reply, so, that the Crannagh Cross was a special case and that the same treatment will not be meted out to the people whose land is affected by flooding?
A very special case was made for the Crannagh Cross by the Roscommon County Council.
Did not the Roscommon County Council make——
Question No. 20.
This is the last question.
No. 20.
Did not the Roscommon County Council make the same case for three rivers?
No. 20.
I suppose you will write another "Dear Brian" letter before the election.
Quite possibly.