asked the Minister for Finance whether he will arrange for a further examination of the Owen Keagh drainage district, Ballínascarthy, County Cork, with a view to carrying out some necessary improvements at the northern end of the district near Ahiohill.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - OWEN KEAGH DRAINAGE DISTRICT.
TADHG O MURCHADHA
Mr. BOURKE
It will not be possible to carry out additional drainage works in the district around Ahiohill as part of the restoration scheme for the Owen Keagh drainage district because the area in question is outside that drainage district. It is open to those interested to proceed under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925, for the formation of a new drainage district, or, if the estimated cost be less than £1,000 they can await the passing into law of the Arterial Drainage (Minor Schemes) Bill recently introduced.
Mr. MURPHY
Do I understand the Parliamentary Secretary to say that restoration work is being carried out to the full limit of the existing drainage area?
Mr. BOURKE
It is confined to the existing drainage area.
Mr. MURPHY
And are we to take it that such work has been carried out in full?
Mr. BOURKE
I cannot say that it has been carried out in full in that area, but we cannot carry out schemes in any area except where schemes have been carried out before under that particular Act.
Mr. MURPHY
Has the Parliamentary Secretary made inquiries with a view to seeing whether my question does not concern portion of the existing drainage area?
Mr. BOURKE
It does concern portion of that area, but it includes another district which is not in the old drainage district. That is the reason it cannot be carried out.