asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will ask the Agricultural Research Institute to investigate the clay spoil caused by arterial drainage schemes and to give advice on the possible uses for this spoil.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Clay Spoil.
23.
I understand that An Foras Talúntais have already been giving consideration to this matter. Their experience so far is that while occasionally alluvium material can be spread thinly over farm land without causing much damage, generally speaking, spoil has been found to be unsuitable for spreading on farm land.
Does the Minister appreciate that this is becoming a major problem in areas which have been looking forward to better drainage facilities being provided by the Department of Finance and that it is a problem which if tackled now, can be solved, but which if delayed, can become an even greater problem?
As I said, An Foras Talúntais have already given consideration to this matter and certain information has become available to them as a result of their investigations. So far, the indications are that unless something can be found by way of treatment or otherwise, only a thin layer of spoil may be spread out without any disadvantages to farm lands.
The Minister will appreciate that there are many things which come under the control of the Department of Local Government and which involve the co-ordination of different local authorities. One such matter is the making of roads, main arterial and county roads.
On that, I should say that the Board of Works who carry out these jobs either directly or indirectly ask the local authorities to take or to offer materials which may have a use for them. The final thing I would say is that the emergence of all of this spoil is a significant answer to all who say that we are not getting on with drainage as we should.
There is not much spoil on the banks of the Shannon yet.