asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will consider the harnessing of Furness Lake, near Newport, County Mayo, for electricity output; if he will state whether a survey of the lake and district has been made, and what is the height of the lake above sea level and the height of water-fall just below the lake.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Harnessing of County Mayo Lake.
The investigation of the possibilities of the hydro-electrification of rivers and lakes is a duty of the Electricity Supply Board, and a survey of the water power resources of the country has been in progress by that body for some years.
I am informed that a detailed survey of Furness Lake and district has not been made. From certain information which is available, however, it appears that there is a head of approximately 32 feet between Lough Feeagh and Lough Furness, County Mayo. The maximum output from a development on this site would give 1,400,000 units per annum in an average flow year assuming all water available could be utilised. It would be very expensive to secure the full storage to give this output, and the development of the site cannot be included in the board's programme at this stage.