asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the present position regarding the implementation of the Erne catchment report related to arterial drainage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erne Catchment Report.
1.
The Deputy will be aware that a drainage scheme was prepared in 1970 for that part of the river Erne catchment lying in the State. The scheme was not proceeded with for economic reasons. I understand that the Commissioners of Public Works have no immediate plans to renew activity on the matter as their resources are fully committed to other drainage projects in hands.
With regard to the restoration of the Ballinamore-Ballyconnell canal, a detailed survey of the feasibility of restoring the canal is being undertaken by the Commissioners of Public Works and should be available in 1986.
Work on the design and estimate for the drainage of the Finn/Lacky rivers is proceeding. When it is completed an assessment will be made of the project's merits as a capital investment.
Is the Minister aware that this catchment area was removed from the priority list of the Office of Public Works, that it was examined by two groups of consultants, Stokes Kennedy Crowley and PA Management Consultants in 1979, who produced a report which was directed to the EEC recommending its drainage— I note that the Minister has part of that report with him.
As the Deputy comments, I am aware of the report to which he refers. I am aware also of his strong interest in the development of this area. In regard to the priority list, my understanding from the Office of Public Works is that there is a priority list there which has been and continues to be maintained.
The Minister mentioned the Finn/Lacky and the Blackwater, which were also listed, removed and dealt with as part of a cross-Border scheme.
A question, Deputy, please.
I accept what the Deputy has to say in regard to the support under the cross-Border scheme for the projects to which he refers but I do not fully understand the purpose of his question.
Is the Minister aware that in December 1980 the cross-Border committee met a number of Ministers here and senior engineers of the Office of Public Works when they discussed possible problems relating to drainage——
The Deputy should confine himself to questions.
Yes — through the statutory water levels of the inter-lock channel at Enniskillen? On that occasion, 18 December 1980, the drainage engineers were asked to undertake a study, examining the relevant problems, so that a scheme could be prepared for implementation.
I told the Deputy to confine himself to questions. He said "Yes" and then resumed his speech.
I hope we are not at cross purposes. My understanding is that both the Finn/Lacky and Blackwater rivers have been selected for consideration in the cross-Border drainage programme for which EEC funds will be made available.
But the entire Erne catchment area was the subject of a study and it was recommended that its drainage be carried out as a cross-Border project with the assistance of special EEC funding.
There was a major study of the Erne catchment area but this goes back quite a number of years. The scheme was designed as far back as 1970 covering about 1,400 square kilometres but it was not proceeded with.