asked the Minister for Finance if he will state if and when it is proposed to carry out a survey of the River Suck and when it might reasonably be anticipated that the drainage of this river will be commenced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of River Suck.
I am not in a position to say when a survey of the River Suck catchment, for the purposes of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, can be undertaken.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that his predecessor in office gave a solemn promise to the Roscommon County Council and to the Suck Drainage Board that as soon as the survey had finished on the Corrib catchment area the staff would be put on the Suck catchment area to carry out a survey? Does the Parliamentary Secretary not think it fair and reasonable that he should implement that promise which was made approximately 18 months ago?
The survey staff is engaged on two major and one minor catchment areas at present and until the survey staff have their work near completion on these it will not be possible to say what river will be taken afterwards, but I assure the Deputy that the Suck, in conjunction with 22 other major catchment areas, will be considered.
This is a very serious matter. In view of the fact that a specific promise was given by the Parliamentary Secretary's predecessor, to my mind it raises a matter of principle. When a guarantee was given by the Parliamentary Secretary's predecessor to a responsible body like the Roscommon County Council and his successor says that he will not carry out that, are we to have any continuityat all when there are administrative changes?
Whenever the Suck is surveyed, it will be after the Corrib.
Might I point out to the Parliamentary Secretary the great necessity for that work on the Suck and impress on him that when staff is available it is one of the schemes that should get priority and should be done?
I understood when the Arterial Drainage Bill was being discussed in this House that Deputies of all Parties understood that it would be operated on a national scale and would not be a pet scheme for any constituency.
Is there any moral law, then?
Do not discuss moral law. You do not know anything about it.