Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 4

Written Answers. - Drainage Works.

Willie Penrose

Question:

94 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works will take immediate steps to dredge and carry out other appropriate maintenance works on the River Gaine, County Westmeath, which runs from Kilmaglish, Knockdrin, Mullingar as far as Lough Derravaragh, Multyfarnham, County Westmeath, as it is currently overflowing into farmers' lands adjacent thereto; if he will ensure that this river is immediately examined and appropriate action taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22714/00]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The river Gaine is a tributary of the river Inny and forms part of the Inny catchment drainage scheme, the maintenance of which is the responsibility of the Commissioners of Public Works. The river Gaine is programmed for maintenance in 2001 but works cannot be carried out before May as the Gaine is a fish spawning river.