Rory O'Hanlon
Ceist:77 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Finance the provisions, if any, that are available for alleviation of flooding in the Erne, Fane and Glyde catchment areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18197/95]
Written Answers. - Flood Alleviation Provisions.
Over a period of 50 years or so the powers of the Commissioners of Public Works to execute drainage works were derived from the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, solely. This Act related to the execution of such works by way of comprehensive schemes for entire river catchments. In this period works proceeded on the basis of settled lists of priority major and minor catchments. More than 40 schemes were undertaken, conferring benefit on upwards of 650,000 acres of land. These powers were extended by the Arterial Drainage (Amendment) Act, 1995, which provides a means for the commissioners to carry out flood relief schemes for the alleviation of localised flooding.
An arterial drainage scheme for the Glyde and Dee, No. 2 on the priority list of major catchments, was completed in 1957 and there is an ongoing programme of maintenance works to ensure the preservation of the standard of drainage provided by the scheme as designed. However, drainage schemes in general do not guarantee total immunity from flooding.
The Erne River Catchment is No. 10 on the priority list of major catchments for arterial drainage. Two schemes for this catchment have been considered over the years. In 1970 a scheme for the portion of the catchment lying entirely within the State was prepared and in the early 1990s a scheme for the FinnLacky, a tributary which spans the Border, was prepared in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Drainage Authority. Neither scheme was proceeded with on economic grounds.
The Fane is No. 20 on the priority list of minor catchments but has not yet been reached in the drainage programme.