Vol. 467 No. 1
99 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Finance if he will have arrangements made to make safe the works which the Office of Public Works undertook on drains on land (details supplied) in County Offaly in view of the fact that there are animals in danger due to the decision of the Office of the Public Works to open this drain and not fence it off. [12551/96]
The drain in question was included in the Boyne catchment drainage scheme, works on which were carried out by the Commissioners of Public Works between 1969 and 1986. The works recently carried out involved the removal of approximately 18" of silt, which had accumulated in the channel, as part of the maintenance programme for the completed scheme. These works restored the channel to its post-drainage condition.
I am advised that this is not a new drain and that no fence existed prior to the works. It is not the practice of the Commissioners to provide fencing where none existed pre-works as it is a matter for the individual landowner to safeguard his stock.
