(South Tipperary) asked the Minister for Finance the priority rating and present general position of the River Suir as regards arterial drainage.
14.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of River Suir.
13.
asked the Minister for Finance, with regard to the arterial draining of the River Suir and its tributaries, if he is aware of the heavy flooding that occurs in this area every year, and of the loss of arable land and of the hardship to farmers occasioned by such flooding; if he will state exact details of the work which has already been carried out by his Department in this area, the nature of any future work which it is proposed to carry out, and the present position of such work; and the date when any new work will be begun.
15.
asked the Minister for Finance the date on which the survey of the River Suir commenced, and the approximate date by which he considers it should be completed; if he is aware of the terrible havoc caused by this river and its tributaries to thousands of acres of fertile land in Tipperary; and if he is now in a position to state when the drainage proper of this river will begin.
With your permission, Sir, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 13, 14 and 15 together.
As I have already stated, a survey of the River Suir catchment, which is the largest so far tackled and comprises about 870,000 acres, was commenced in June, 1960, and can hardly be completed before 1964, or even 1965. After that a further period will be required for the preparation of a detailed scheme and compliance with the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 in relation to exhibition etc. The need for arterial drainage in the catchment is fully appreciated. It is hoped to be able to start work about 1970, but, at this stage and in a proposal of this size, I cannot make this a definite commitment. No works have yet been carried out in the catchment area under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.