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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Nov 1981

Vol. 331 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Barrow Drainage Scheme.

14.

asked the Minister for Finance when he expects the Barrow drainage scheme to commence; and if he has any plans to expedite the matter.

The Barrow Catchment is listed for treatment under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 but because of prior commitments I cannot say at this stage when it will be reached in the arterial drainage programme.

Would the Minister not consider that a priority list for a national arterial drainage programme, which was drawn up in 1945, could now be somewhat out of date and that modern sophisticated machinery for drainage and the western drainage package could have made that list an improper list? Would he not agree that on a modern cost-benefit analysis of the Barrow Valley it would be shown quite clearly that the vast amount of good land that would be opened up would prove that the Barrow merits a much higher priority than it was originally given? Does he not feel he could use his influence in his present sphere and his own knowledge of the area to enable the Barrow to get a higher priority? I am sure the Minister is aware that substantial EEC grants are available for this work if this is done now.

The Barrow is No. 23 on the list. That, in effect, means that it will be ninth next. Work on the design of Nos. 15, 16 and 17 is being carried out and the Barrow will be ninth next on the list after that. The No. 23 on the list may be a little deceptive. I appreciate what the Deputy says about the area of the Barrow where I live and I am as anxious as anyone about this. Governments over the years, irrespective of what side of the House they were from, adhered to that list. They had their own reasons. Various Governments, including the one in which the Deputy was a Minister, adhered strictly to the list prepared. That is the position at the moment. It may be revised and if it is I will be anxious to push the Barrow but it is fair to say that this list has been adhered to.

(Interruptions.)

In view of the fact that the Minister of State was not even prepared to hazard a guess when this is likely to happen and that it is only ninth in order of preference now, it appears that we will not see the Barrow done in our lifetime. Does the Minister not feel that, because of energy costs and the drainage of the boglands involved, it makes it imperative that this work be done now, to enable the bogland to be opened up and thus utilise our natural energy resources to the fullest extent?

Does the Minister not agree that a list that was drawn up with limited knowledge in 1945 could be changed now? Successive Governments have adhered to the Constitution but that is likely to be changed. Will the Minister not agree that we could change the position the River Barrow occupies on the arterial drainage programme?

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that if any moves were made to have the change he has indicated many other people would have things to say about it. At this time there is no scheme to change or revise the position in any way. I agree with the Deputy it is a pity that the Barrow is not at the top of the list.

Is the Minister saying this list is more sacrosanct than the Constitution?

I cannot answer any questions about the Constitution.

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