asked the Minister for Finance whether a drainage scheme has been prepared for the Tolka river; and, if not, what is the present position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tolka River Drainage.
16.
A drainage scheme has not yet been prepared for the Tolka river. This river is No. 27 on the priority list of minor catchments, but it will be some years before it can be considered for a scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.
In view of the urgency of drainage, especially in the Clonee area, would the Minister for Finance be prepared, if the local authority concerned were to raise some money from their own resources, to make a deferred grant for this work?
That would involve an interference with the list of priorities which would hardly be fair.
What I had in mind is a minor scheme that would relieve the flooding of houses which takes place frequently.
The Deputy is aware that one of the major considerations in regard to drainage under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, is the relief of flooding of agricultural land, and the case the Deputy is making is one rather for deferment than anything else. I can assure the Deputy that no such deferment will take place having regard to its place in the priority list.
Are we to take it there is no concern about houses being flooded?
The Deputy should not take any such interpretation from what I say, but the main purpose of the Arterial Drainage Act is the drainage of agricultural land.