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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Mar 1969

Vol. 239 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage Schemes.

51.

asked the Minister for Finance the prospects of having the River Nanny in County Meath drained under the Arterial Drainage Acts.

The Nanny is No. 14 on the priority list of minor catchments. It is not likely to be reached for some years yet.

Is there any prospect of having the Nanny scheme done at the same time as the Boyne scheme?

No, it is a separate catchment.

I am aware of that, but the Parliamentary Secretary did have a deputation from the area recently and from the published reports it appeared that he was hopeful of joining the two schemes. May I take it that either his views were misrepresented or that he has since found these schemes cannot be tied together?

I do not know what the Deputy is referring to in regard to published reports——

I am not surprised.

——but, as I said, in the reply, it is a separate catchment and must be considered separately.

I am aware of the fact that it is separate, but I am just giving the Parliamentary Secretary an opportunity of straightening the record if he has been misreported as saying that he thought it would be possible to have the Nanny and the Boyne started at the same time. I am aware from the previous replies he gave that that would not be possible and I am just giving him an opportunity of making a statement, if he wishes to do so. I am not trying to embarrass him.

The only thing that might arise is that the completion of the Boyne scheme might coincide with the arrival of this catchment at the work stage.

The Parliamentary Secretary is now saying that it may be started in ten years' time.

That is conceivable.

The Boyne is a ten-year job so, in ten years' time, it might be possible to start the Nanny.

It is conceivable the two jobs could be considered together.

What about the Nanny in Galway? We have one too.

If it is as long in starting as the Shannon, God help you.

(Interruptions.)
52.

asked the Minister for Finance if all arrangements for the start of drainage work on the Boyne have been completed; and, if not (a) what still remains to be done and (b) when work is likely to start.

The formal consideration of the observations received following exhibition of the scheme and consultation with other Government Departments concerned is now nearing completion so that the scheme can be formally submitted to the Minister for confirmation in accordance with the Act.

Meanwhile in order to expedite the commencement of work, a site has been acquired and work is proceeding on its development for a local office and workshops.

It is expected that the actual drainage works will be begun next month.

53.

asked the Minister for Finance the up-to-date position concerning the drainage scheme for the Finn catchment area; and if he will make monies available for its early drainage.

The Finn is included in the approved priority list of major catchments but at this stage I cannot say when it can be reached in the drainage programme.

Has the Parliamentary Secretary been in contact with the Northern authorities who have carried out some work on their side of the Border?

Not in connection with the Finn. There were general discussions with the authorities in Belfast about drainage generally. There has been considerable co-operation between the Belfast authorities and ourselves in this matter, but not with particular reference to the Finn. The Finn is quite low down on the priority list.

The late Deputy O'Malley, when he was Parliamentary Secretary, gave me information by way of Parliamentary reply: he said he was in contact with the Belfast authorities about this and he assured me that, when these authorities made any approach to have their side of the bank attended to, he would give favourable consideration to work on the Donegal side. Since the Minister for Finance has said that £100,000 is nothing to spend on a referendum surely he could find £20,000 to do the work necessary on the Donegal side of the River Finn?

What the Deputy appears to be suggesting is that the Office of Public Works should depart from the accepted list of priorities in respect of a river the drainage of which would be of doubtful economic value.

That is not what the Minister for Social Welfare would tell his constituents in Castlefin. I hope the Minister for Social Welfare takes a copy of that reply to the next cumann meeting at Castlefin.

The Deputy may not make a speech.

I should like to know the official Fine Gael attitude on this.

We will clean the River Finn.

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