asked the Minister for Finance when it will be possible to carry out a comprehensive drainage scheme for the Bunratty River, County Clare.
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Clare Drainage Schemes.
35.
Mr. Kenny
The Bunratty—also known as Owenogarney—River is part of the Sixmilebridge catchment. This has been recorded for treatment under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, but because of many other urgent commitments and the limited financial and other resources I cannot at this stage say when it can be reached in the drainage programme.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say what place this river occupies on the priority list?
Mr. Kenny
It is 21 on the priority list.
36.
asked the Minister for Finance when it will be possible to carry out a comprehensive drainage scheme in the Cooraclare-Doonbeg catchment area, County Clare; and the present position of this catchment area on the list of rivers for drainage under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.
37.
asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the serious flooding which has taken place on the Cloone River, Cranny, County Clare, he will indicate the steps he proposes to take to drain this river.
38.
asked the Minister for Finance the present position of the Cloone River catchment area on the list of priority catchment areas for drainage under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.
Mr. Kenny
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 37 and 38 together.
While the need for drainage in smaller catchments is appreciated, the best use can be made of available resources and the national drainage problem more quickly resolved by concentrating on the catchments included in the settled priority lists which have been upheld by successive Governments.
The Cloone and Cooraclare-Doonbeg catchments are not included on the priority lists. I regret, therefore, that I cannot say when these catchments may be reached in the arterial drainage programme.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider putting these on the priority list?
Mr. Kenny
They will take their place on this list and I will attend to that during the week. We will examine the place where we can put them but they will have to take their place in order of priority.
How soon will these schemes be completed?
Mr. Kenny
I cannot give the Deputy any information about that.