Vol. 327 No. 2
andMr. L'Estrange asked the Minister for Finance if the final study and overall survey of the Shannon has yet commenced; if he will outline in detail the number of personnel, and their qualifications, who are at present engaged in this survey; the contents of the final survey; if any additional staff were employed in his Department for the survey; and if he envisages his Department working in conjunction with other public bodies on this survey.
21.
andMr. L'Estrange asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money, if any, received from the EEC Regional Fund to date to carry out the survey of the Shannon.
22.
andMr. L'Estrange asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money his Department have allocated for the survey of the Shannon.
23.
andMr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance when consultations with other Departments in regard to the Shannon flood problem referred to in his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 90 of 17 July 1980 commenced; if these have yet been completed; and the matters considered in the course of the consultations.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 to 23, inclusive, together.
The Rydell Report of 1956 on flood control in the River Shannon recommended that preliminary investigations should be carried out in two stages regarding specific methods for flood control and drainage and meeting the needs of power, navigation and other uses of the river. The first stage of the investigations was carried out jointly by the Office of Public Works and the Electricity Supply Board. Their report, published in 1961, indicated that a solution to the problem was feasible and that the second stage of the investigations should be undertaken to determine more exactly the extent of the improvements likely to result and the probable cost.
These second stage investigations, which would include field surveys and foundation explorations, office studies of engineering and cost features and studies of benefits to be derived and of economic justification, have not so far been undertaken but have again been under consideration. The investigations are estimated to cost about £1 million and would take about two-and-a-half years to complete,
The Office of Public Works are at present examining whether, having regard to other commitments, the necessary resources, that is, finance and staff, can be made available to permit of an early start to the investigations.
The EEC have decided to make a grant of 40 per cent up to a maximum of £400,000 towards the cost of the investigations. It is envisaged that the ESB and An Foras Talúntais would co-operate with the Office of Public Works in the matter. Consultations with other Departments, that is Agriculture, Economic Planning and Development, and Finance, and with the ESB and An Foras Talúntais have been taking place since 1978 and are likely to continue. No staff has yet been specially recruited for the investigations and no funds for the project have yet been received from the EEC.
Is the Minister aware that this £400,000 has been allocated by the EEC Regional Fund as far back as mid-December and that we have been allowed a two-year period to have this survey carried out? If the money is not taken up within that two-year period, there is a danger that we may lose it, Is the Minister also aware that the Minister for Agriculture, speaking at a Fianna Fáil Convention in Longford/Westmeath, publicly stated that this survey had already commenced?
Hear, hear.
When the Estimates were made out for the Department of Public Works we did not know at that time that we would get an EEC grant of £400,000. Since then we have been informed of this, and certainly we will be making an application to the Minister for Finance for money to be made available for the project.
Is the Minister telling us that the cost-benefit analysis has not yet been completed into whether it is feasible or not to drain the Shannon? Is the Minister aware that Fianna Fáil have promised to drain the Shannon at every general and by-election since 1932, 50 years ago?
A question, please, Deputy.
We want to know now when the Minister really intends to start draining the Shannon?
Soon.
Will he promise it before the next general election?
I should like to remind the Deputy that I might go down in history as the Minister of State who started the survey on the Shannon, since we have now a grant from the EEC and will now proceed to get the necessary finance from the Minister for Finance. I would also like to remind the Deputy that we are having difficulty in recruiting engineering staff, but when we have staff available to us we hope to be able to start the survey this year.
A joint study of the Office of Public Works and the ESB, as far back as 1961 recommended that this survey be undertaken and the money from the EEC has been available for almost three months. The IFA are most anxious ——
A question, please.
—— to have this survey carried out. Every person involved in the Shannon area in business and in dairy farming would like to know when the Minister will commence this survey. Can he give us the date when this survey is likely to commence?
The investigation of the Shannon is a major technical undertaking. Indeed, it will require the concerted efforts of all our engineering resources. I can assure the Deputy that I will do everything possible to ensure that this survey will be started as soon as possible.
Personally, I do not believe a word of what the Minister is saying.
Please, Deputy, a question.
I was expecting that. I told the Deputy the truth.
A question, please; not a statement.
Can the Minister tell me when the £400,000 will be available for the survey and is all of it to be spent on the survey of the River Shannon?
Certainly, the £400,000 is a grant being made available ——
When?
—— by the EEC to us and it is a 40 per cent grant ——
Of?
—— being made available by the EEC to us. We will have to come up with 60 per cent of the cost.
A final supplementary, please, from Deputy L'Estrange.
As regards the Minister's promise to come down and open it for us ——
I did not say anything about that.
He did, indeed.
Will the Deputy please ask a supplementary question?
Is the Minister aware that if he could ——
The Deputy might go down in the Shannon.
Is the Minister aware that if he could suck — not hear or see — as well as he can blow maybe he could drain the river himself?
Ceist 24.
Just one final question.
I am calling on the Minister to answer Question No. 24.
I want to raise this matter on the adjournment. It is a matter of major importance and the position as regards the Minister's reply is most unsatisfactory.
Would the Minister, please, reply to Question No. 24?
I gave the Deputy all the information he was looking for. If Deputy L'Estrange had less talk, he would certainly have been elected to the Dáil.
I am here. I am in the Dáil. Can the Minister not see me?
Would the Minister, please, obey the Chair?
Surely the Minister can hear and see me?
