asked the Minister for Finance when drainage of the River Suck is likely to commence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of River Suck.
51.
It is not possible to carry out an arterial drainage scheme on the River Suck without seriously worsening conditions on the main River Shannon in the critical section between Athlone and Meelick. Moreover, the Suck as far as Ballinasloe is affected by floods in the Shannon and that portion could not be improved without work on the Shannon. Accordingly, it has been decided that a scheme for the Suck must await developments in relation to the main Shannon. The engineering investigation of the Shannon is proceeding.
Is the Minister aware that on the Sunday previous to the by-election in Roscommon the papers carried a full-page article stating that the engineers were out and a survey was being made of the Suck, and that it was to be drained immediately, according to an announcement made by none other than Deputy Lenihan, Minister for Education?
They have to save it for the election.
Deputy Dillon remembers it well.
(Interruptions.)
Could we be informed have the engineers been drowned in the Suck or what has happened to them since? They have not carried out the survey which the Minister told them in Castlerea, I think, on the Saturday night before the election, would be carried out.
We have not lost a single engineer.
They are all gone to school.
If Deputy L'Estrange will be silent I will try to reply to his question. If he was interested in the drainage of the Suck he would know that, in fact, the survey has been carried out.
It was to be done immediately.
Further, if Deputy L'Estrange had listened to the reply I read out he would know the reason why further work must be contingent upon the drainage of the main channel itself and the engineering survey of the main channel is being carried out as I have said. Now is the Deputy satisfied?
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Minister promised them that the survey was being carried out and that work would commence in three to six months and that is over three years ago?
No one minds the Minister on the eve of an election.
The remaining Questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.