Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 6

Written Answers - Drainage Schemes.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

123 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by the Rathowen, County Westmeath Community Development Company Ltd. regarding drainage works being carried out by the Office of Public Works in that area; the effect of this work on Glen Lake; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this area is designated as a special protection area; if his attention has further been drawn to the investment of the Irish Wildlife Service in this area and the fact that the work of the Office of Public Works will destroy this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16799/97]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Cullen)

The Office of Public Works has a statutory responsibility to maintain all drainage channels resulting from arterial drainage schemes, including the scheme in the Inny catchment, where Glen Lough is located. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands has a statutory responsibility to protect the conservation values which led to the designation of Glen Lough as special protection area under the European Union Bird Directive.

The works at Glen Lough in recent weeks have been confined to clearance of existing drainage channels. Such maintenance work has been done periodically on three previous occasions. The works undertaken have no effect on current water levels in Glen Lough.

The Office of Public Works are currently undertaking a hydrological survey which will identify accurately the implications, if any, of the present drainage maintenance programme for the status of Glen Lough as a special protection area for birds. This survey, in conjunction with the conservation plan currently being drafted by the National Parks and Wildlife Service for Glen Lough, on which the public will be consulted, will be used as the basis for an agreed management scheme for the future.