Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Jul 1961

Vol. 191 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of Dromore River (Monaghan).

11.

asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to carry out drainage work on the Dromore River in County Monaghan.

The Dromore River forms part of the Erne Catchment which is being surveyed with a view to the preparation of a scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. The survey is virtually completed. Design work and preparation of a scheme, which are proceeding, and compliance with statutory requirements will take a considerable time and it is not possible at present to say when works could be commenced.

Is it not a fact that there was an interim scheme for the Dromore River approved and is it now intended to abandon that scheme?

I am not aware of any interim scheme.

Was there not a proposal for an interim scheme to relieve the serious situation that obtained on the Dromore River itself which was capable of completion pending the treatment of the whole catchment area?

It is possible there may have been but not since I have any connection with dealing with the catchment as a whole.

I do not want to make any disrespectful comment on that fact, but does the Parliamentary Secretary now say that the interim scheme envisaged before he became responsible for this matter has now been abandoned?

I am not referring to any specific interim scheme there may have been. The general policy is not to have an interim scheme in any catchment area.

That may be general policy now, but was an interim scheme in fact approved and, if so, why has it been abandoned? Is it just because the policy has been changed?

I am not aware of it.

The Parliamentary Secretary is aware of the interim scheme.

I am not so aware.

But the Parliamentary Secretary must be. It is in his office.

I shall make inquiries, if the Deputy wishes.

The Parliamentary Secretary need not make inquiries. He made inquiries often before. He knows blooming well it is in his office.

Top
Share