asked the Minister for Finance why all drainage machinery has been withdrawn from the Caherlistrane, Kilconly, Belclare and Belmount areas of County Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Withdrawal of Drainage Machinery.
56.
The machines have been transferred to the Oughterard and Cross Rivers in order that work on these important trout spawning channels can be completed before the next spawning season. The machines will return next autumn and major works in the areas mentioned by the Deputy will be completed by next spring. In the meantime bridge construction and hand excavation is continuing in these areas.
Is this the same machinery that was about to start on the Shannon before the Leitrim by-election?
Will these machines be returned to where they were working?
I have said so. I have also said they are being moved into an area where there are important fish spawning beds. There is a limited season during which such areas can be treated.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary consider the work in the new areas he has in mind more important than the work in the areas I have mentioned?
It is important from the fishery point of view, but I would have thought that Deputy Donnellan would know that all the machines have not gone. There are some of them there still.
The majority of them have gone.
Yes, but they are gone for that purpose and it is a very good purpose. It concerns the proper treatment of the fishery angle of the Corrib drainage scheme.