asked the Minister for Finance the position in regard to drainage of the Camlin River, County Longford; and if he has any proposals in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage Schemes.
25.
The Commissioners of Public Works could deal with the Camlin river only in the context of a scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, for the Longford catchment as a whole. The Longford is listed for treatment under the Act but I cannot say at this stage when it will be reached in the drainage programme.
26.
asked the Minister for Finance if a detailed scheme for the drainage of the Monaghan/ Cavan region in conjunction with the adjacent areas of Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh has yet been prepared by the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I should explain that the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, whereby the Commissioners of Public Works are involved in drainage, visualises schemes being carried out on the basis of a comprehensive scheme for a catchment; also that the national problem of arterial drainage is being dealt with on the basis of settled priorities as to catchments. The Erne, Blackwater and Fane are priority catchments affecting the counties mentioned.
When in due priority the Erne catchment came up for consideration it was for expediency decided to investigate the formulation of a scheme for the catchment area outfalling through Belturbet draining lands in Counties Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim and Longford. Much yet remains to be done, including a cost/benefit study, before it can be determined if such a scheme would be economic as well as practicable. All other significant Erne tributaries affect County Fermanagh and it was the intention that these would be taken up as convenient. In fact, the Commissioners have cooperated in a joint survey of the Finn tributary, Counties Cavan, Monaghan and Fermanagh; in this case also it is not yet possible to say if a scheme would be feasible or economic.
As for the Blackwater catchment, affecting Counties Monaghan, Tyrone and Armagh, and the Fane, Counties Armagh, Monaghan and Louth, having regard to the many urgent commitments throughout the country I cannot say when these will be reached in the drainage programme.
Would the Minister agree that a cross-Border project such as this would have been ideal for submission to the EEC taking into account that the drainage authority in the other part of our country were very interested in such projects?
It is a matter which would fall for consideration for submission, but there is no certainty at this stage that arterial drainage projects will necessarily be given assistance in 1975 from the EEC Regional Fund. The Deputy may be assured that there have been very active consultations, and that there will be continuing active consultations, with the authorities in Northern Ireland on projects mutually beneficial in drainage Border areas.
Is the Minister aware that Commissioner Thomson listed projects of a cross-Border nature suitable for submission?
I am so aware.
In view of Commissioner Thomson's statement yesterday that no application had been submitted by either the Irish Government or the British Government for funds for cross-Border projects and that he was not aware of any opposition on the part of the British Government——
This is a separate matter.
Will the Minister, or some Minister, make a statement clarifying the position in view of what the Minister for Foreign Affairs said here on many occasions about the British Government obstructing them?
The Deputy is raising a separate matter.
I have a question down for next week.
Could we have a statement from the Minister for Foreign Affairs to clarify this matter?