asked the Minister for Finance if a decision has been made on the inclusion of the Annefield area and surrounding districts of Hollymount, County Mayo under the Corrib/ Robe/Mask drainage scheme and if he will make sufficient funds available to ensure that this work will be carried out.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Drainage Scheme.
47.
A decision to extend drainage works under the Corrib/ Mask/Robe catchment drainage scheme to include the Annefield and Hollymount areas has not yet been made. These areas are served by the Hollymount river and its tributaries and further investigations are needed before any decision can be taken.
Would the Minister be willing to allocate the necessary funds to this portion of land provided indications from the Board of Works engineers are favourable in that regard?
The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot make specific commitments in advance unless and until advice is available to me. In any event it would not be for the Minister of Finance, as such, though it might be for the Minister of State, to decide on particular schemes. Perhaps the Deputy would await the outcome of further examinations taking place at present in regard to those tributaries.
When does the Minister expect that those investigations would be completed?
I do not know though I understand that they are rather complex. It involves cutting through deep layers of rock in the particular river and that is going ahead in any event.
Would the Minister of State be willing to meet a deputation representative of all bodies concerned in this matter?
I shall convey the Deputy's interest to him and perhaps he will.