Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 17 Feb 1949

Vol. 114 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Planting of Rice Grass.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider taking steps to extend the planting of rice grass (Sparteni townsendii) in the estuaries of the Fergus and Shannon with a view to the reclamation of the 17,000 acres of mud flats in those rivers.

The whole question of land reclamation and rehabilitation is at present under active consideration, and a comprehensive scheme for land reclamation will shortly be announced. In the surveys to be undertaken under this comprehensive scheme, the possibility of reclaiming estuarine flats of this character will be carefully examined.

Is the Minister aware that by means of this system large tracts of supplementary land have been reclaimed in East Anglia and on the coast of Europe and that, furthermore, this is the cheapest method of reclamation that has yet been discovered?

I am aware that estuarine and coastal mud flats of this character have been successfully reclaimed elsewhere. I am not satisfied that the conditions obtaining in this particular area are identical, but the Deputy may rest assured that, inasmuch as a land reclamation project will shortly be announced by the Government on a scale never before contemplated by any Government in this country, this matter will receive the fullest possible consideration; and, if it is remotely practicable, such land will certainly be made the subject of experimental work.

Is the Minister aware that favourable reports have been submitted by the officers of his Department over the past 20 years in connection with this scheme, which was begun in 1938?

I would prefer to say conflicting reports——

I have seen favourable reports.

But I assure the Deputy that this and every other conceivable method of land reclamation is going to be operated in this country, beginning not later than July next.

Barr
Roinn