Edward Nealon
Question:52 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Finance when it is expected that drainage work will commence, as promised, on the Killerry river which is a tributary of the Bonet and the boundary between Counties Sligo and Leitrim.
Written Answers. - Drainage Work.
The Killery river enters the Bonet at a point downstream of Dromahair, County Leitrim. In the preparation of the Bonet catchment drainage scheme a number of these downstream areas were excluded for practical and economic reasons. During the course of scheme works a number of representations were made on behalf of the landowners concerned to have this river included in the scheme and it was decided to re-examine the feasibility of carrying out some works in the area when the scheduled works of the scheme had been completed.
Early indications for a scheme of works were relatively promising and it was decided to process the matter further. However, more recently it has proved necessary to re-examine the scheme as a whole on environmental and economic grounds and it is imperative now that works be curtailed for these reasons. The inclusion of the Killery river in the Bonet scheme could not be justified as the cost would be incommensurate with the benefits to be derived.