asked the Minister for Finance if in view of the undertaking given to the local people he will state when work will start on the draining of Fairfield bog at Ahasragh, Ballinasloe, County Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of Ahasragh (Galway) Bog.
19.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the drain in the townland of Fairfield for which a full-cost grant was authorised in last summer's programme of bog drainage schemes. The grant was sanctioned on condition that all necessary consents would be forthcoming, but as two of the farmers whose interests appear to be affected have refused to sign the standard form giving their consent to the work, the Special Employment Schemes Office were not in a position to put it in hands. They seem to have no option but to cancel the grant unless the objections are withdrawn.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that there is a procedure under the Land Project by which that difficulty could be overcome? Perhaps the Board of Works could rise from their torpor and consult with the Land Project Office and provide them with a solution.
I am simply dealing with the question put to me and my Department.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary desires to carry through this drainage scheme, seeing the funds have been allocated? There is a section under the Land Project that, where it is desirable to complete a scheme and there are one or two dissenters, the scheme can be carried through their dissenting lands, particularly where a 100 per cent. grant is made available.
Even in that instance, there are some further problems which would not be dealt with, I think, by the Land Reclamation Scheme.
What are they?
I am not empowered to deal with that.
Surely, if there are other problems, the Parliamentary Secretary ought to tell us.
It is not a matter for my Department. I said that only en passant.
You can say anything en passant.