asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a grant available for the cleaning of the River Blackwater, County Cork, in the vicinity of Mallow and Fermoy in view of the serious losses suffered in these towns as a result of recent flooding.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cleaning of County Cork River.
40.
There are no funds available from which the Commissioners of Public Works could make a grant for the cleaning of the River Blackwater in the vicinity of Mallow and Fermoy. The Commissioners could undertake drainage work only in the context of a comprehensive drainage scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, for the whole Blackwater Catchment Area. The Blackwater is included in the Priority List of Major Catchments but I cannot say at this stage when it will be reached in the arterial drainage programme.