asked the Minister for Finance if any negotiations have taken place between his Department and the Government of Northern Ireland with a view to facilitating the drainage of the River Erne, and if he is prepared to state what is the attitude of the Northern Government towards the scheme; also, will he state if the minor schemes between the two Governments will be held up contingent on an agreement being arrived at.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of River Erne.
The Commissioners of Public Works have written to the Government of Northern Ireland informing them that it is proposed to proceed with the exhibition and final investigation of a scheme for the drainage of the River Erne from Wateraghy to Belturbet. A reply has not yet been received from the Northern Ireland authorities, but it is not anticipated that they will adopt an antagonistic attitude. It is not clear to what the Deputy refers in the last sentence of his question, but I may state that the river Erne scheme is being considered solely on its own merits.
Could the Minister say when that letter was sent to the Northern Government?
The 10th or 11th of this month.
Could the Minister say if the correspondence between the two Governments is calculated to expedite agreement or the reverse?
Towards expediting agreement.
Could the Minister tell the House what the scheme mentioned is? Is it the larger scheme for the drainage of the lakes or the banking scheme of the rivers at the head? I would ask the Minister to bear in mind that very important considerations arise in respect of the lower end, at the Free State outlet of these lakes where mismanagement of the drainage would interfere very seriously with fisheries and mill owners.
Is the Minister aware that a number of minor schemes dealt with in the latter part of the question have been held up pending agreement between the two Governments, and is it the intention of the Government to hold up these schemes pending agreement?
Is the Minister aware that a letter sent from his Department at an earlier date was not altogether favourable to the scheme?
This matter is too big to be dealt with in this way and I will have to ask Deputies for separate questions.