Vol. 481 No. 7
183 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Finance when he intends to publish the report of consultants into the problems of drainage in south Galway; if he intends to finance the costs of this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17149/97]
A draft of the final report has been received from the consultants who were commissioned to investigate the causes of the flooding in south Galway in 1995 and the cost/benefit section is being finalised. The Commissioners of Public Works are evaluating the report at present. As the report now runs to eight volumes and includes approximately 50 large scale maps and other A3 size drawings which are incorporated into the report the costs of general publication would be prohibitive. The final report will be available when the evaluation has been completed. A copy of the final report will be placed in the local library for inspection by the general public and as has been the case heretofore with the interim report a copy will also be given to the south Galway IFA and the south Galway Flooded Victims Action Group, both of whom represent groups who suffered flood damages in the 1995 floods. There is a commitment to present the final report at a public meeting in Gort when the evaluation procedure is completed.
The question of financial commitments will not arise until detailed designs and cost benefit analyses have been completed on the specific proposals recommended in the report. The financial implications will be a matter for consideration in the context of the annual estimates on an ongoing basis.
