asked the Minister for Finance if he will arrange to place the Tramora or Aughaveenagh river near Quilty, County Clare, on the priority list for drainage under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage Schemes.
16.
Mr. Kenny
Adherence to established priorities is the best way of ensuring an orderly operational programme of arterial drainage. The priority lists have been upheld by successive governments and it is not proposed to alter them at this stage.
Apart from the priority list, would the Parliamentary Secretary consider the necessity for undertaking a survey of underdeveloped counties where land is not good in order that increased production might be obtained?
Mr. Kenny
That may not be allowed because every future catchment area, big or small, must undergo a cost/benefit analysis survey. It will depend on the result of the survey whether catchments will be drained.
17.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will make funds available towards the cleaning of the river Burrin at Carlow from Hanover Bridge to the river Barrow.
Mr. Kenny
The Commissioners of Public Works have no funds which they could make available for the work requested.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the river Burrin is causing flooding in Kennedy Street, Carlow? This is because there is no provision for maintenance by any authority. Can anything be done about this matter by the Department?
Mr. Kenny
Not under my Department. We are responsible only for arterial drainage schemes under the 1945 Act. The Office of Public Works have not responsibility for urban flooding.
Deputy Governey was chairman of Carlow County Council for long enough to know that the county council are responsible for this.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary propose to extend Shannon navigation to the river Barrow?
Mr. Kenny
When the river Barrow is being considered for arterial drainage.
It is already being done.
18.
asked the Minister for Finance when work will commence on the drainage of the river Fane in County Monaghan.
Mr. Kenny
The Fane catchment is noted for treatment under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, but because so many catchments have higher priority, I cannot say when it will be reached in the arterial drainage programme.
19.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will take steps to clear obstructions in the rivers that flow through Blackwater, County Wexford, particularly on the eastern side of the village, and to adjust the weir and sluice gates on one of these rivers to prevent excessive flooding of dwellings and preserve the tidy village status of Blackwater.
Mr. Kenny
The Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, from which the commissioners derive their powers to carry out drainage schemes visualises schemes being carried out on a comprehensive catchment basis. The Act does not empower the commissioners to undertake piecemeal works of the type mentioned by the Deputy.