asked the Minister for Finance what progress has been made in relation to the drainage of the Owenabue river at Ballinhassig, County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of County Cork River.
12.
The Owenabue is the main river of the Ballinhassig catchment, which is No. 17 on the priority list of minor catchments to be dealt with under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. It will be dealt with in its turn but it will not be reached for some years yet.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there are over 1,000 acres of fertile land flooded as a result of the condition of this river?
The Parliamentary Secretary is aware of that. I am sure also that the Deputy is aware that the priority list was drawn up with great care and the Owenabue river will be dealt with in its turn.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that many farmers in this area have over half their lands flooded in winter time because of the condition of this river? Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary would use his good offices to bring forward the number of the Owenabue river in the priority list on account of the great urgency of the matter?
I am aware of the facts expressed by the Deputy but he knows that the creation of the priority list itself was based on the urgency of the conditions in the different catchment areas.