asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the progress made to date on surveys carried out by his Department on the drainage of the Dunkellin river; and when these surveys will be completed.
Written Answers. - Drainage Scheme.
348.
My Department are carrying out pre-drainage vegetation and ornithological surveys on the Dunkellin and Lavally catchment areas to establish likely effects of arterial drainage on sites of ecological value. Field work on the vegetation survey has been completed; work on the ornithological studies is still in progress.
Having regard to the comprehensive nature of the surveys and to the number of staff which can be made available for such work it is not possible to indicate at this stage when the overall study of the catchment will be completed but there will be no avoidable delay.