asked the Minister for Finance the present position regarding the drainage of the Owenmore and Arrow rivers in County Sligo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage Schemes.
8.
Mr. Kenny
An engineering survey of the Owenmore, including the Lough Arrow catchment, has been completed and the processing of data is proceeding with a view to seeing whether a scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, would be feasible.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in 1903 under the previous Act, the Arrow was No. 8 on the priority list? Is it not typical of the neglect of the west that, 70 years later, it is No. 16 on the list?
The arrow was pointed in the wrong direction.
Mr. Kenny
From the information I have received from the arterial drainage section I understand that the Owenmore catchment was No. 16 on the priority list of major catchments and was surveyed in conjunction with the Bonnett catchment. A scheme for the Bonnett was prepared and Department of Finance sanction to exhibit it was sought in March, 1971, but has not been received yet. A survey of the Owenmore and Lough Arrow catchments has since been completed and the processing of data is now at an advanced stage preliminary to the preparation of the scheme. If this scheme is found to be feasible and economic it would take some considerable time to complete the statutory requirements that would enable the work stage to be reached. Further consideration of drainage schemes, including the Owenmore, must take into account the result of the cost/benefit analysis at present nearing completion in respect of the Maigue and Groody schemes.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary have initiated a cost/benefit analysis for those rivers which, I am sure, would show that it would be well worth while draining these rivers? Also, can he give me any indication of when the drainage referred to will begin?
Mr. Kenny
I cannot say when drainage will begin on the Lough Arrow scheme but if I can obtain that information I will give it to the Deputy.
9.
asked the Minister for Finance when work will commence on the Finn river drainage scheme in County Monaghan.
Mr. Kenny
I cannot say when drainage of the Finn will be undertaken. A joint survey of the Finn by the engineers of the Office of Public Works and the Northern Ministry of Finance has been completed but the design of the scheme awaits receipt of some further information which we have requested from the Northern Ireland Authorities.
We appreciate that there must be consultation with the Northern Ireland authorities, but in view of the amount of land that is being flooded in the north Monaghan area, which in some cases results in as much as ten and 15 acres of 30acre farms being flooded, would the Parliamentary Secretary give priority to this scheme? Thousands of acres of land in that area have been subjected to flooding down through the years.
The Deputy is making a very long statement.
Mr. Kenny
Certainly, I will give favourable consideration to the Deputy's suggestion.
10.
asked the Minister for Finance when the drainage of the rivers Toome and Buingea, County Cork, will be carried out.
Mr. Kenny
A drainage scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, for the rivers Toome and Buingea has been investigated by the Commissioners of Public Works, but because of other very urgent commitments throughout the country it is not possible to say when operations on those rivers can be undertaken.
11.
asked the Minister for Finance the present position in regard to the drainage of the river Maigue.
Mr. Kenny
It will take a further few months to complete necessary statutory preliminaries to submission of the scheme to the Minister for Finance for his confirmation.
Is it not true that when the Parliamentary Secretary took office provision had been made to ensure that this scheme could begin within the present financial year?
Mr. Kenny
The amended Maigue scheme was exhibited from the 20th December, 1971, to the 28th January, 1972.