Vol. 353 No. 10
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will introduce a provisional order confirmation Bill transferring the responsibilities of the Galway Mills Trustees as per the award of 4 April 1860, to Galway Corporation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
7.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the neglected state of the tailraces in Galway City which are the responsibility of the Galway Mills Trustees who have not met since 1940; and the action he can take in the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
As these tailraces are in private ownership, it is a matter for the owners to carry out any necessary maintenance.
In so far as the transfer of responsibilities to Galway Corporation is concerned, no proposals have been received from the local authority in the matter. However, inquiries have been made with the corporation and it is understood that there is a complex set of legal issues to be teased out locally before the question of any transfer of responsibility for the maintenance of the system of channels concerned can be determined. I would be prepared to consider any representations made to me on the basis of such local consideration. The question of the responsibility of the Office of Public Works also needs to be clarified.
Is it a fact that on 4 April 1860 an award created the Galway Mills Trustees and that these trustees were responsible for the maintenance, repair and improvement of the tailraces in Galway City and that that group of trustees no longer exist? In fact, that group have not met since 1940 and there is only one individual survivor of the original group. Will the Minister agree that as they are not making any commercial use of the tailraces, and have no desire or necessity to improve them or spend any money on maintaining them, they are falling into disrepair? Is the Minister aware of the interest of the citizens of Galway City in taking proper care of these beautiful waterways? Will the Minister indicate if he is prepared to favourably consider transferring responsibility for these waterways to the local authority in the event of the local authority making a formal request, which I understand they are prepared to do?
I would be prepared to consider any representation made to me on the basis of such a local consideration. The Deputy mentioned the year 1860 but my information is that it was 1856 when the Drainage Act was enacted. I must tell the Deputy that I have no information in my Department about the Galway Mills Trustees. I have made inquiries of Galway Corporation and I understand that the functions of the Galway Mills Trustees were set out under that Drainage Act, 1856, 5 and 6 Vict., C. 89, an amending Act for most of the minor channels concerned. I have given the Deputy an undertaking that I will consider any proposals put to me.
Will it be necessary for a provisional order confirmation Bill to be brought before the House by him to make this change?
That may be so but until the proposal comes to me I will not be able to give it further consideration. If the proposal is put forward by the local authority I will go into all that.
I should like to thank the Minister for his offer of co-operation. This is a matter that greatly concerns the citizens of Galway and they will be greatly appreciative of the Minister's efforts if he can help to resolve this difficulty.
