Vol. 491 No. 6
163 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Finance the position of the Mulcair drainage scheme; if the recent discovery of an archaeological site will delay work on the Cappamore section of the scheme; the alternative arrangements, if any, made for the route of the channel if it is necessary to avoid the archaeological site; when the work will recommence; and the timetable of the Office of Public Work for the completion of the scheme. [12987/98]
The Mulkear River (Cappamore) certified drainage scheme is now at works stage. However, the discovery of a significant archaeological feature in Gortnascarry townland during a routine archaeological test excavation along the proposed route of the bypass channel for Cappamore has meant that alternative routes for the bypass channel are currently under consideration. While the discovery has delayed the planned start of works on the Cappamore scheme by a matter of weeks, it is expected that works will recommence within the next two months. It is not envisaged that the initial delay will impact significantly on the scheme completion date at the end of the year 2000.
164 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the method of costings used in costing the works listed as solutions in the report on drainage in south Galway; if he has satisfied himself that the costings listed are reasonable; and if the Office of Public Works is in a position to cost the works listed in view of its minimal participation in the work and contributions to the final report. [13107/98]
The report on the South Galway Flood Study is an independent report carried out by an independent multi-disciplinary team of consultants on behalf of the Office of Public Works. The estimated costs for engineering solutions in the report are orders of cost, prepared by the Irish firm of engineering consultants to the team, for those civil engineering works identified by the consultants and described in the text and drawings in the final report as means of alleviating flooding in the South Galway area. Without the benefit of further more detailed examination and preparation of separate designs for each solution proposed, it is not possible to give more definitive costings for these works. On this basis I am satisfied that the cost estimates are reasonsable.
Officials from Office of Public Works formed part of the steering group which met at intervals with the project manager for the study and liaised with him and his team throughout the duration of the study.
