(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Finance if he will start the survey on the River Shannon which is being half EC funded.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Survey.
12.
It was decided in the context of the 1983 budget to defer the proposed multi-purpose feasibility study of the River Shannon flood problem. Furthermore, future policy on arterial drainage is under consideration. Accordingly, I am not in a position to say when the survey might be undertaken.
In view of the fact that the area near the Shannon had considerable flooding this year, will the Minister of State consider having that survey started next year especially when it is 20 per cent EC funded?
As the Deputy is aware, a survey of arterial drainage in general is being carried out. As I have indicated previously, this probably will be submitted to the Government before the end of the year. This would come within the context of the overall survey and I know it is part thereof. Therefore, I cannot give any guarantee as to when it might commence. That survey will be put before the Government by the end of the year when a decision will be made. Until then I can give no commitment.
Is that EC grant still available? It was made available about three years ago. Does it still stand?
Let there be no doubt in anyone's mind about this. The EC accommodation in this was provided in 1980 for a two-year period, up to 1982. It was not taken up during that period. Let me point out to the Deputy that during the period 1980-82, from June 1980 this was available and allocated. In June 1980 Fianna Fáil were in Government and remained there until June 1981.
Is that right?
The age of discovery.
(Interruptions.)
The Coalition were in Government from 30 June 1981 to 9 March 1982. Fianna Fáil were back on 9 March 1982 until December 1982 and they did nothing about that survey. They were in office at that time and if I am not mistaken the Deputy was in the OPW and he did nothing about that survey during that period.
(Interruptions.)
I am calling Deputy Mary O'Rourke.
Would the Minister of State agree that during our tenure of office there was nothing like the bad floods or the bad weather which appertained in the last few months of the Government's reign in office——
(Interruptions.)
I have not finished the question. Let me say to the Minister of State that I am aware of his concern. I shared a television programme with him——
I think the Deputy has not begun her question.
——which was concerned with the Shannon rising in flood. Bearing in mind that we have had the worst weather in the Shannon Valley for over 30 years, would the Minister of State not give a commitment here that he will press his case with the Government to take up the EC money to do this very necessary survey?
The Deputy indicates that we take up the EC money and a new application would have to be made——
Will the Minister of State do that?
Let me answer. I appreciate the problems of the Shannon Valley this year. They were very bad and I sympathise with the people there, but I am not going into the business of promising to drain the Shannon. The Deputy's party have been doing that for the last 50 years. Let us be practical for a change.
(Interruptions.)
I am not going into the business of promising to drain the Shannon.
Who asked you to?
The Shannon is one of the longest rivers in these islands and we might become bogged down and perhaps lost in it. We will move on after this question.
(Interruptions.)
May be the weather got worse during the recent period——
The economic climate.
It has nothing to do with the economic climate. Think of the economic climate in Fianna Fáil's term of office when they were throwing money around as if it was going out of fashion. They could not take this up.
(Interruptions.)
If you had a decent Minister he would give you a few pounds.
Deputy Jimmy Leonard.
May I say——
No, you may not. The Deputy will resume her seat.
As the Minister of State has decided not to drain the Shannon, will he concentrate on some of the others, such as the Erne, for which the surveys have been completed?
That will keep us going for the day. We will not get into any other rivers. I am calling on Deputy Treacy, then I will call on Deputy McEllistrim and I will finish then.
In view of the inclement weather this year when the Government had to provide some small, meagre funds to aid farmers in the Shannon Valley——
Would the Deputy ask a question?
——will the Minister of State give a commitment to the House that he will now make application to the EC to get the survey moving? Further, will he give an indication of what proposals he has for the large amount of staff who would be made redundant at the OPW in 1986 and can he divert some of those staff into working on that survey for the benefit of farmers in the Shannon Valley?
(Interruptions.)
Order please, Deputy McEllistrim.
There is a survey——
(Interruptions.)
Is the Minister of State answering Deputy Treacy?
Yes. A survey on arterial drainage will be before the Government before the end of the year and then they will make decisions on it. I cannot make any promises.
What is the Minister's opinion?
(Interruptions.)
I am not in the business of draining the Shannon.
A short question from Deputy McEllistrim.
I am very disappointed——
A question Deputy.
I am disappointed that the EC grant which we were getting to drain the Shannon has now gone and a period of time has elapsed——
That is not a question.
I would remind the Minister of State——
That is still not a question.
——that our Government were recruiting staff——
If the Deputy is not going to ask a question, he should conclude.
The Minister should have a survey done on the Shannon next year in view of the fact that there was severe flooding there this year.
I regret that the EC money must be reapplied for, but I would remind the Deputy that he was in office——
(Interruptions.)
——and they did not do anything about it.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 13.