asked the Minister for Finance if he will make money available for the immediate draining of the river Finn, County Donegal; if he is aware of the serious damage being caused in Ballybofey to private dwellings in addition to the vast acreage of land which cannot be properly cultivated; and if he will make a full statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Drainage.
18.
The Finn is in the approved priority list of major catchments to be considered under the Arterial Drainage Acts. Having regard to present commitments and the extent of the drainage problem throughout the country I cannot say when it will be reached in the drainage programme.
Is the Minister aware that when the River Finn is high it erupts in the middle of the soccer pitch and that all soccer teams going up there start out with a disadvantage of about three goals compared with Finn Harps because they are not accustomed to playing football and swimming at the same time?
I am not aware of the situation on the soccer pitch but I know that one of the contributory factors to the Ballybofey flooding might be the activities of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
(Interruptions.)
May I tell the Parliamentary Secretary that the great majority of the people living on the banks of the Finn River are supporters of his party as I found out there some months ago and would he not reward their loyalty by promoting this river on his priority list?
I should like to point out that during the by-election campaign I dealt with this matter in the course of my Estimates. At that time I made it quite clear that, by-election or no by-election, the situation is as I have stated.