Drainage Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 April 2015

Thursday, 2 April 2015

Ceisteanna (84)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

84. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if an engineer will visit a person (details supplied) in County Mayo regarding a bridge. [13652/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The bridge in question was constructed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) as part of the Corrib-Mask-Robe Arterial Drainage Scheme under the powers given to the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland by the Arterial Drainage Act 1945. There was no requirement for any agreement to be signed by the relevant landowners, and the OPW is not aware of any signed agreement in this case.

While I understand that the person named by the Deputy is the owner of the lands on both sides of the bridge and should, de facto, be entitled to traverse the bridge, the local OPW engineer has agreed to meet with the landowner in question and discuss any queries which he might have. I have instructed my officials to write to your constituency office directly with contact details for the OPW engineer.