asked the Minister for Finance when the drainage of the Suck, Lung and Boyle rivers, so necessary to the landowners of Roscommon, will be commenced.
12.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - River Drainage.
11.
asked the Minister for Finance if he has any proposals for the drainage of the Smaghran River, County Roscommon, which is causing serious flooding and damage to farmers' property in the area.
13.
asked the Minister for Finance if and when it is proposed to commence drainage of the River Shannon.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to reply to Questions Nos. 11, 12 and 13 together.
The engineering survey of the River Shannon will be commenced next Spring. As already announced, this survey is in itself a big undertaking and it will be some years before the results are available for the evolution of a scheme so it will be appreciated that at this stage I cannot state when actual works can be begun.
A survey of the Suck has already been made but the results show that it is not possible to do drainage works on it without seriously worsening conditions on the main River Shannon in the critical section between Athlone and Meelick. It has therefore been decided that a scheme for the Suck must await developments in relation to the main Shannon.
The Smaghran river is a tributary of the Suck and can be dealt with only as part of a scheme for that catchment.
A survey of the Boyle catchment which includes the Lung River was commenced in 1963 and will be continued next year. It is expected that a scheme for the catchment will be ready by the end of 1967 and, if it proves acceptable, works will start in 1968.
Is the Minister aware that at a public meeting held concerning the drainage of the Suck and Lung rivers, it was specifically stated by a Fianna Fáil county councillor that the present Minister for Justice promised him that the drainage of the river Lung would be undertaken next June?
I am not so aware.
Will the Minister stand over the cost of £15 million, which was quoted in the Sunday Press? Is the Minister responsible for what the Sunday Press says?
I am not.
They are not responsible for me.