asked the Minister for Finance the position on the priority list of the River Fergus, County Clare; and when drainage work will be undertaken.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - River Fergus Drainage.
29.
Mr. Kenny
The Fergus is No. 20 on the priority list of major catchments to be considered for treatment under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, but, having regard to many urgent commitment; throughout the country, I cannot indicate, at this stage when drainage works might commence.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the position has now changed and the report of the Drainage Commission about 30 years ago is no longer relevant because, since then, up to 100,000 acres have been drained and this river could now be classified as an intermediate river? Could the Parliamentary Secretary hold out any hope that the people in the area, particularly the people who reside in the town of Ennis, will be relieved of this flooding?
Mr. Kenny
If the Deputy wants to classify it as an intermediate catchment area he stands a worse chance than if it was classified as a major catchment area because, over the years, the minor catchment areas and the intermediate catchment areas have been completely cancelled out. They were tried for a few years but it was found that it was unsuccessful to have three different categories of catchment areas at the same time. The Office of Public Works are now concentrating on the major catchment areas only. If the Deputy wants the Fergus classified as an intermediate catchment area, he is backing the wrong horse. If he leaves it as a major catchment area he will have a better chance.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider that a town the size of Ennis, with a growing population, which has shown an increase of 3,000 to 4,000 in the past five years, would now merit further consideration in the light of that new information and that that would after the commission's findings?
Mr. Kenny
Arterial drainage has nothing to do with urban towns. Arterial drainage is there for draining agricultural land only, and it does not take into consideration anything along the lines of towns or urban areas.
Ar aghaidh le ceist Uim. 30.
Is the position similar to what it has been? Is it placed No. 20?
Mr. Kenny
No. People do not understand that that list was compiled in 1945 and since then various major catchment areas have been completed. If you subtract the completed areas from the list compiled in 1945, you find the real place of any catchment area in the country.
From Ennis up it is draining the land of north mid-Clare. There is a block on the river at Ennis at the mill. There is an old dam. From the dam down it is tidal and there is a sluicegate at Clarecastle. The people of Ennis would like very much if the river could be deepened to take the extra flow. If you clear the dam at the old mill——
I am afraid the Deputy is entering into debate.
——you are clearing the land.
We cannot debate this matter today.
Mr. Kenny
Under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act you are not allowed to do things piecemeal. You must do the whole catchment area or nothing.
What is the hope of having it done?
Mr. Kenny
Nil.
Hope springs eternal.