asked the Minister for Finance if money is available from EEC funds for the drainage of the River Shannon; and, if not, the steps that are being taken by the Government to provide such funds.
33.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Drainage.
32.
asked the Minister for Finance if any plans or feasibility studies exist for the full or partial drainage of the Shannon catchment; and if he will arrange for their updating so as to enable an application to be made to the EEC for aid towards its drainage.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 33 together.
No scheme to deal with the problem of flood control on the Shannon and the treatment of the undrained portion of that catchment under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, has yet been prepared. There is no proposal at present to seek aid from the EEC to finance such a scheme.
Following a recommendation of the Rydell report of 1956 preliminary investigations of the Shannon flood problem were carried out by engineers of the Office of Public Works and the Electricity Supply Board. Their report, published in 1961, indicated that further more detailed investigations would be necessary before a scheme to deal with the flood problem and provide for the drainage of the catchment could be produced. In view of the enormity of the task these investigations have not so far been undertaken except that the hydrometric survey being made of the country generally includes the Shannon catchment. I am unable to say when the further investigations required are likely to be undertaken.
Would the Minister agree that the fact that money is now available from the EEC for drainage in the West of Ireland creates a new situation and that in this new situation it would be entirely justifiable for him to go ahead with studies which were suspended in 1961 and have them carried to finality so that a formal application can be made to the EEC within the next two years? If he will not do that, will he explain why he will not do it?
As regards the Shannon I should like to ask the Minister has not a decision been made as between drainage and banking? I am as interested in the Shannon as is anybody. I am now seeking information on the surveys done on the Shannon by American experts. I understand they came up with the question of banking the Shannon. I am asking the Minister what is the position with regard to surveys done on the Shannon. Was it banking or drainage? Which was suggested for the Shannon?
Did I hear the Minister say that the drainage of the Shannon was forgotten in 1961? Is the Minister aware that his party made a promise during the 1964 by-election in Roscommon that they would drain the Shannon?
Might I ask the Minister——
No, we have drained the Shannon now. Question No. 34.
I have had no answer whatsoever to my question.
I have allowed more time to that question than the previous ten.
The Chair allowed three supplementaries and no answers.
It is no business of the Chair what is the answer. Question No. 34.
(Interruptions.)