andMr. Donnellan asked the Minister for Finance the present position regarding the implementation of the £42 million drainage scheme for western Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Western Ireland Drainage Scheme.
24.
The programme approved by the EEC for drainage in the western region includes three arterial drainage schemes, viz. Corrib-Mask-Robe in Counties Mayo and Galway, the Boyle in Counties Roscommon, Sligo and Mayo and the Bonet in Counties Leitrim and Sligo. Works on the Corrib-Mask-Robe have commenced and schemes for the Boyle and Bonet catchments are at present being prepared with a view to commencing works in 1980.
Have those particular river catchment areas which the Minister has now indicated are being added on as a result of the £42 million special fund been chosen on the basis of the cost benefit analysis which was commenced many years ago, in regard to the various rivers on the arterial list? Are those as a result of that cost benefit analysis strictly on the basis of those which will give the best return?
That is correct.
Will the Minister make available to the House or to me what are the relative merits of the outturn, value for money, in each of those and those which are not mentioned? Could we get a listing of what the cost benefit analysis has produced and how it has altered the list which was there? Has the priority of that list been altered as a result of the cost benefit analysis?
That is a different question.
It does not arise in relation to the ones I have just mentioned. If the Deputy would name a specific one I would be able to supply the information.
Apart from naming the ones which are not there I am interested in a general way about the impact the cost benefit analysis has had in regard to all the arterial river catchment areas which are on that list going up to No. 28, including those which have now been mentioned. That information was promised to us a long time ago but we did not get it.
The cost benefit analysis is of vital importance for drainage schemes. I am looking into the question of having a cost benefit analysis introduced in any particular scheme.
What is next on the list after the Boyle and the Bonet?
I have not that information with me.