asked the Minister for Finance the date on which it is expected that work will be completed on the drainage scheme of the Maigue catchment area; and whether it is proposed to commence work on the Mulcaire catchment area following completion of the Maigue.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maigue and Mulcaire Drainage.
24.
Arterial drainage works under the Maigue drainage scheme are expected to continue for approximately another four years. I am not in a position to say when works could commence on a scheme for the Mulcaire catchment.
Is the Minister aware that an all-party, widely representative deputation was received by his predecessor about a year and a half ago which requested that the Office of Public Works take every step possible to ensure that work on the Mulcaire catchment scheme would be ready to commence as soon as the Maigue work was finished? Would the Minister say if that is still the position and would he ensure that that timetable which everybody is looking for, will be kept?
Some work has been done on the design and we must then do a cost-benefit analysis on the river. It will take four years to do the Maigue River work.
It is reasonable to assume then that, in view of the fact that work on the Maigue River will take four more years to complete, there is a good chance that the Minister will be able to start work on the Mulcaire as soon as the work on the Maigue is finished?
I hope I will be here in four years' time but one never knows. We will have to do a cost-benefit analysis on it and four years is a long time to look ahead.
Is any of this £400,000 grant to be used for the cost-benefit survey to be carried out on the Mulcaire River?
No, I am afraid not.
Where is the Minister going to get the money for the survey on the Mulcaire?
Question No. 25.