asked the Minister for Finance if he will indicate the present position regarding the drainage of the Breedogue River, County Roscommon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of County Roscommon River.
14.
The Breedogue is a tributary in the Boyle river catchment. A survey of the catchment commenced in 1963 and will be continued this 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 Parliamentary Secretary aware that one of the pilot schemes is in operation in the Ballinameen area? His colleague the Minister for Agriculture, visited the locality some time ago and expressed the opinion that he was depending on pilot areas such as this to hatch out ideas to be applied generally in the undeveloped areas. Is he aware that the first idea that should be hatched out is a drainage scheme? This pilot area cannot be successful until such a drainage scheme is implemented.
I am aware of the demands which the Minister for Agriculture made on his visit to the west recently. I have had discussions with him and he has urged me to do everything possible to expedite the drainage of the area.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary will not tell me it is likely the survey will be finished in 1967 and, if things are found suitable, he can then embark on actual physical drainage works in 1968.
Why would I not?
I want the Parliamentary Secretary to do it much sooner.
Oh, sure.
Who supplied the incubator for the hatching out?
Is the Parliamentary Secretary prepared to look for the necessary engineering and survey staff in order to shorten the time?
I could not agree more.
Does he intend to take the necessary steps?
Of course.
If he is able to get engineers and surveyors, he will be able to shorten the time and finish the scheme before 1967.
Naturally I would be able to shorten the time anticipated.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary basing his estimate of 1967 on the number of engineers and surveyors available at present? If he is, then the answer is not satisfactory; but if he is able to tell me that, if he gets more engineers, he will be able to give a much more satisfactory answer to the people there with regard to the time——
That would be a reasonable assumption.