asked the Minister for Finance at what date the first deputation requesting the carrying out of drainage of the River Mulcaire and its tributaries was received by his Department; how many deputations have since been received on the same subject; if he will give a list of the members of the first deputation received; if he will state at what number on the list of drainage schemes to be carried out this scheme was placed originally and whether its place in the list has since been changed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of River Mulcaire.
16.
The first deputation regarding drainage works in the Mulcaire catchment under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, was received on 25th September, 1946, following on damage which was caused by the abnormal rainfall of the 11th and 12th August, 1946. One other deputation was received on 14/12/60. The members of the first deputation, which represented Counties Tipperary and Limerick were:— Deputies R. Ryan, D. Ó Briain, G.C. Bennett, D. Bourke, M. J. Keyes, M. Colbert, J. Reidy; D. Breen, F. Loughman, R. Mulcahy, Mrs. Ryan, A. Fogarty, D. Morrissey, W. F. O'Donnell; Senators D.J. Madden and T. Crowley; Fr. J. Hayes, C.C., Mr. P.J. Meghen, Co. Manager, Limerick; Mr. Martin O'Dwyer, Chairman, Limerick Co. Council, Mr. S. Hayes, Vice-Chairman, Limerick Co. Council, Mr. T.F. Broe, Limerick Co. Secretary, Mr. J.F. Ambrose, Acting Limerick Co. Engineer and Mr. M. Hickey, MCC, Limerick; P. de Buitléir, Co. Secretary, Tipperary, Messrs. P. Stokes, M. Humphreys and M. Bourke, MCC, Tipperary, and Messrs. M. Delaney, John C. Long and W.J. Leahy.
The Mulcaire catchment was listed number 17 in the original priority list of major catchment areas and its position on that list has not been changed. I stated in reply to a question in this House on 15th November, 1961, that it was proposed to have the survey of the Mulcaire catchment commenced in 1963. I am glad to be able to tell the House now that the engineering survey has in fact been started and we will continue with the preparatory work with a view to commencing the actual work on the ground as soon as possible. I am not going to give an exact date as there is an enormous amount of investigation and planning to be done before the best scheme can be designed and the actual construction work begins but I can say that no time will be wasted in getting the works under way.