asked the Minister for Finance (a) when he expects the draining of the River Boyne and its tributaries to commence; and (b) if there is any scheme for the drainage of the River Nanny, County Meath; and, if so, when it is proposed to commence work on this scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of Meath Rivers.
36.
A survey of the Boyne catchment has been completed and the design of a drainage scheme is in hands. Owing to the size of the catchment, which comprises nearly 670,000 acres and 1,500 miles of channel extending into six counties, and to the need to find solutions to important problems relating to mills, fisheries etc., the preparation of a scheme will take some years. Time will then be needed for compliance with the requirements of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, in regard to exhibitions, consideration of observations and consultation with other Government Departments, before submitting the scheme for confirmation by the Minister for Finance. We hope to be able to start work in four, or may be even three years but in a proposal of this size, I cannot make this a definite commitment.
The Nanny River is No. 14 on the list of minor catchments, the first seven of which have already been surveyed. The survey of the Nanny River will be done in its turn but it cannot be for a few years yet.