asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that considerable damage is done yearly by the overflowing of the Bilbow River, Kilcommon, County Tipperary; if he is aware that a drainage scheme for that river has been under consideration by the Office of Public Works for a great many years, and that the starting of drainage operations was delayed pending the completion of the Cappamore River scheme; if he is further aware that operations on the Cappamore River have now been completed and that the local parties interested and the North Tipperary County Council have taken all necessary steps to comply with the proposed drainage scheme and if he will state when the Office of Public Works intends to start work on the scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage Schemes (Co. Tipperary).
The works on the Mulkear (Cappamore) scheme have been completed, and a preliminary survey of the Bilbow proposal has been made by an engineer. A further inspection will however be necessary before a final estimate for the work can be prepared. Consequently at the moment it cannot be stated if it will be feasible to devise a scheme that would at the same time be both satisfactory and economic and acceptable to the occupiers of the affected lands.
Later, should it be found that the proposal is a promising one, the subsequent necessary investigations will be expedited as much as possible, but even in the most favourable circumstances it is unlikely that works can be commenced for some considerable time yet.
Mr. Bourke
Is the Minister aware that a scheme has been prepared and accepted already?
If I were aware of that fact I should have stated it in the reply.