asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the need for a scheme in the catchment area of Tacumshane and Lady's Island lakes in County Wexford; and when such scheme will be commenced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Catchment Scheme.
48.
The Tacumshane and Lady's Island catchments have been included for consideration in the arterial drainage programme. Owing to present commitments and the extent of the drainage problem generally I cannot say when either will be reached.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary indicate what number it is on the list?
Neither is listed for priority so it will be many more years before it is begun under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.
In the meantime about 8,000 arable acres will be lost if the job is not done.
The commissioners, following inspections by their engineers, advised the county council that the outlet could be freed if £1,000 were spent, in the case of Tacumshane, but the commissioners themselves are not empowered to do the work or to finance it. With regard to Lady's Island, the county council told us in 1965 that they were arranging to free the outlet there. I do not know whether they have done that, but they told us they were going to do it.
But have not the county council asked the Board of Works to do the job?
We have no authority to do it.