asked the Minister for Finance if he can state when the work in connection with the drainage of the Rampart River, Dundalk, already sanctioned, will be undertaken.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of Rampart River (Dundalk.)
Objections were raised to certain works included in the drainage scheme for the Rampart River, the principal one being from the Dundalk Urban District Council to the effect that interference with the bed of the river in the town would endanger the sewers and the Rampart Walk. A public inquiry having been held, it was deemed undesirable to proceed with that part of the scheme to which the council objected, and an endeavour has since been made to provide an alternative outlet for the district. No such outlet, however, appears to be feasible within the funds available in the scheme and it cannot therefore be stated when, if at all, the work in connection with the scheme is likely to be commenced.
Is it the intention of the Board of Works to proceed with this work in the near future, or have they abandoned the scheme? I also want to ask the Minister, in view of the much-needed employment that would be given as a result of carrying out this drainage work, and also the enhanced value that would accrue to the land adjacent to the river, if he would consider the question of arranging to have this scheme carried out as soon as possible? I quite understand that objections were made by the Urban Council with regard to the danger of sewers subsiding when the river would be deepened, but I understand from the engineer of the Board of Works that he has already determined upon an alternative scheme for the sewerage drains.
It appears that there is great difficulty in dealing with the bed of this Rampart River, and it will be necessary to try to find some other outlet for the drainage scheme. At the present moment, it has not been found possible to discover any alternative outlet for the drainage.
May I take it that the scheme has not been altogether abandoned? I understood the work would have been started this summer.
It has not been definitely abandoned, but the engineering difficulties in the way seem to be now very difficult to surmount.