asked the Minister for Transport if he will arrange that grants will be made available to the Barrow Drainage Committee to relieve the silting caused in that river by Bord na Móna work in the adjacent bog areas, and thus ensure that the river will remain open for navigation as well as provide the appropriate outfall for farmers in the basin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Silting of Barrow River.
13.
There are no funds at my disposal from which grants could be made available to relieve silting in the River Barrow.
I am informed by Bord na Móna that they have arrangements with the Barrow Drainage Board, involving substantial financial contributions to the drainage board to relieve silting in the River Barrow caused by Bord na Móna work in adjacent bog areas.
Could the Minister state how long it will be before that work takes place?
The work is already in progress. Bord na Móna have been making contributions to the Drainage Board since 1955. They are making a substantial contribution this year to pay for the execution of this work.
The silting is still taking place in the Carlow area. In the late part of the year, when the river is low, the heat of the water makes the weeds grow so strongly that boats cannot get down.
My information is that there are no barges, belonging either to CIE or private enterprise, on the river.
We had tourists coming down there last year at Easter. Had it been later in the year, they could not have done so.
The information I have is that the work is in progress.
Perhaps Bord na Móna could give a little more money.
They are giving plenty of money.
Not enough.