asked the Minister for Agriculture the membership, date of foundation, and terms of reference of the committee set up to co-ordinate drainage operations in the west under the EEC scheme and the number of meetings and their achievements to date.
Written Answers. - Western Drainage Scheme.
334.
The western Drainage Scheme Advisory Committee is made up of representatives from the main farming organisations viz:—An Foras Talúntais, General Council of Committees of Agriculture, Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, Irish Farmers' Association, Macra na Feirme, in addition to officers from the Advisory Services and my Department.
The committee was set up in December 1978 and its terms of reference are to consider and advise on:
(i) the promotion and effective implementation of the western drainage programme;
(ii) how best to co-ordinate the efforts and activities of the various interests concerned with a view to achieving the maximum possible progress, and
(iii) how best to promote greater interest among farmers in drainage and the improvement of wetlands.
Progress on all these fronts is also monitored by the committee.
The committee has met on five occasions and has made a very positive contribution to the promotion and implementation of the scheme.
335.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the total acreage it is aimed to reclaim under the western drainage scheme agreed with the EEC, the terminal date of the scheme, the acreage in respect of which firm drainage proposals exist to date and if it is anticipated that the target will be met.
The target for land drainage under the western drainage scheme is 123,000 hectares made up as follows:— Field Drainage 100,000 hectares; Arterial Drainage 23,000 hectares.
The terminal date of the scheme is 31 December 1983. Approvals have been issued to date covering 45,000 hectares. It is anticipated that the target will be met.