asked the Minister for Finance if the Government have considered the setting up of a Shannon valley authority which would be responsible for the control and management of the River Shannon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Valley Authority.
7.
The establishment of an authority or inter agency group to control and manage the River Shannon has been the subject of debate for some time now, and I note that the same question was asked by the Deputy last February. As I stated in reply at that time, there are so many interests involved in this vast natural waterway, not the least of which are navigation and drainage which fall directly within my brief as Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, that the proposal has obvious merits. Nevertheless, it would be futile to set up such a body without providing it with the means to devise and implement a comprehensive plan. Budgetary constraints militate against such at the present time but the matter will continue to receive constant consideration.
(Limerick East): Will the Minister promise to drain it?
No.
Is the Minister aware of the demand by all of the different bodies involved, farmers, fishermen and tourism people, for one body to control and manage the River Shannon? Furthermore, I cannot understand, and would ask the Minister to explain, how it would have budgetary implications in view of the fact that we have a number of bodies with different interests involved managing and controlling the Shannon at present. How, if the Minister set up one body, could it cost more?
I am not aware of the demand by all the bodies involved to set up a specific authority. I am aware of very strenuous demands from some bodies and organisations to set up that authority. Second, there are budgetary implications in managing the Shannon as of now.
I am talking about the additional implications.
If we were to set up a specific authority there would be no point in doing so without giving it a specific function, providing it with a specific budget and giving it specific duties. In order to implement those functions and duties it would be necessary to provide extra funds for it.
Is the Minister saying he will not set up this authority? Is he reneging on a commitment given in November 1986 by himself, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, and the Minister for Education in Athlone to a public meeting that if returned to Government they would set up this authority?
I did not give any commitment to set up a specific Shannon authority. What I did say at that time was that consideration would be given to examining the situation vis-á-vis the feasibility of setting up the authority.
It is another U-turn.
I would suggest that as Deputy Naughten's party had a big say in Government at that time maybe that was the last time to seize the opportunity to provide it. I have given constant attention to this matter. I am at present awaiting a report by another organisation and when that report becomes available I will give further consideration to it.
In view of the significant increase in the Structural Funds that will be available from the Community, and in view of the funds which are already committed to the Shannon in one way or another through national agencies, would the Minister not agree that the combined sums, the enhanced sum from Europe and the existing sums already allocated, would provide a budget for an authority and that the question of devising functions or objectives for an authority which the Minister raises as an objection is really a ridiculous reason? The functions are self-evident, the control and management of the River Shannon to be co-ordinated with a single body using the funds that are already there and the funds that can be got under the enhanced Structural Funds. Surely now is the time to put the statutory body in place and there will then be a formal investment avenue for the European funds.
I am aware of the present position pertaining to the River Shannon and we hope Structural Funds will be available for many things, including the management and utilisation of the River Shannon to its maximum potential. I am constantly monitoring this situation. I am awaiting a report from another organisation and I have not ruled out any option at this time.
(Interruptions.)
Deputies, please let me make a little progress. I will allow a brief supplementary question from Deputies Noonan and Naughten.
Would the Minister of State consider amending the Shannon Ports Authority Bill to extend the type of unanimity of agreement among other Government Ministers to the whole Shannon basin rather than just the estuary?
That is a separate question and it would have to get further consideration. Perhaps if the Deputy tabled a question we could get it answered.
Has the Minister received the report from the inter-departmental committee set up in December 1986?
No, I have not received that report.