asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has received a copy of a resolution of the Roscommon County Council of 23rd June, 1962, concerning the drainage of the Lung and Feorish rivers; if so, if he will state the terms of the resolution; and what action he proposes to take in relation to it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of Roscommon Rivers.
22.
I have received a copy of the resolution referred to, which expresses the desire of Roscommon County Council to have the drainage of the Lung and Feorish rivers dealt with on the same terms as the Crannagh Cross River. A reply will be issued to the County Council as soon as possible.
Will the Minister now state whether he did give a promise to the deputation from Roscommon County Council that these two rivers would be dealt with on the same terms as the Crannagh Cross River?
Surely that does not arise on this question?
Is it a fact that the Minister received a resolution from the county council proposed by a member of his own Party and passed unanimously that the deputation was left under the impression by the Minister that the financial arrangements would be the same for the Lung and Feorish rivers as for the Crannagh Cross River? In view of the fact that the resolution sent forward by the county council was worded in such a diplomatic manner for the purpose of providing further information to the Minister, will he now give the necessary financial requirements?
I do not agree with the implications made by the Deputy in regard to this matter.
Not made by the Deputy alone but by eight or nine members of the deputation and by the officials who accompanied it.
The Deputy is well aware that, when I received the deputation, I promised them that I would do my best about these rivers. He will know also that special facilities were given for the drainage of one of these rivers and he will know, too, that those special facilities could not be provided in the case of the others. The Deputy will also be aware that when the deputation was received by me the proposals for expenditure were reckoned in the region of £15,000. He will know, too, that the total amount will be in excess of £95,000. From that it will be easily deduced that the works proposed for the remaining rivers in Roscommon are not in the nature of minor works and that, at the instance of the county council itself, they have been passed from my Department to the Board of Works. It has been put to me by the county council that the works were of such a magnitude that the technical and engineering staff of the county council would not be able to carry them out.
A Cheann Comhairle, you ruled me out of order before on the Adjournment Debate on the question of the Minister's word versus the word of the deputation. Is the Minister not now aware that it is his version against that of seven or eight reasonable members of the county council and the officials who were with them? The figure of £15,000 is not sufficient to cover the Crannagh Cross River.
This is debate, not question and answer.
I should like to raise on the Adjournment, with your permission, Sir, the question of the promise made by the Minister to a deputation from the county council that he would give the same facilities for the drainage of the Lung and Feorish rivers as for the Crannagh Cross River.
The Deputy can send me a copy of what he wants.
It is on the record now.