asked the Minister for Finance the progress made in his consultation with other Government Departments in relation to the river Shannon flood problem since his reply to parliamentary Question No. 19 of 17 July 1979, and when he expects these consultations to be completed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - River Shannon Flooding.
26.
Progress has been made in consultations with other Government Departments. The consultations are wide ranging and are proceeding but, at this stage, I am unable to say when they will be completed.
Can the Minister say exactly when the latest investigations were carried out?
Since July last there has been consultations with the Departments of Agriculture, Economic Planning and Development and Finance on the questions of the flooding problem and drainage of the Shannon valley, particularly in regard to the scale of the problem, the probable benefit to be derived from a solution and the possibility of EEC aid. Further discussions are about to begin with the Electricity Supply Board, the Department of Agriculture and An Foras Talúntais in regard to the commencement of the second and final stage investigations in regard to engineering and agriculture, to confirm the feasibility of a scheme to solve the flooding problem and provide necessary drainage in the Shannon valley, including its tributaries. The Office of Public Works will have a vital part to play in those investigations in regard to engineering surveys, design, valuations and so on.
Is any attempt being made to recruit staff for this operation?
Not at present.
Has the Minister or his Department had consultations with officials of the European Commission? Is the Minister aware that there are people in the Commission who, to my knowledge, are very well disposed to the idea of making EEC funds available for the drainage of the Shannon? Would the Minister answer the question?
We have been in communication with two other Departments, the Departments of Finance and Agriculture with a view to getting funds from the EEC.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that the then Minister for Economic Planning and Development, Deputy O'Donoghue, in the last few months met representatives of the regional development organisations from Cavan and Limerick in connection with this? He received documentation from them——
This is a long question.
(Cavan-Monaghan): It is not long and do not put me off. He received documentation from them and gave them great hopes that a study would be made and that he would report back to them. What is the position now?
As I said at the outset, we have been in consultation with the Departments of Agriculture and Finance with a view to obtaining finance. I do not know if the then Minister for Economic Planning and Development had consultations with people in Shannon. Consultations with Government Departments will be wide-ranging because of the possible effects of many services, utilised and potential, such as, agriculture, hydro-electric power, navigation, fisheries, peat production, industrial and domestic water supplies and so on. That will probably continue for some years, at least as long as the second stage investigations which are expected to take from two to three years.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Minister get in touch with the former Minister for Economic Planning and Development or his Department and find out what documents he received, what assurances he gave and see that they will be carried out?
I will.
Will the Minister try to get the job done quicker than two years because EEC money may not be available for that long?
Does the House wish to take the two remaining questions in this group?
Deputies
Yes.
On a point of order, will sufficient time be allowed for asking supplementaries? Very often only one supplementary——
The Deputy should put down his own question; these two are mine.
I am asking a question on a point of order. I seldom speak in the House but all I am saying is that usually there is a supplementary question asked by the person who puts down the question. Other Members are allowed a supplementary question and I should like to know if only one supplementary will be allowed.
The Deputy should permit questions to go ahead.