andMr. Donnellan asked the Minister for Finance (a) the amount of money which would have been spent, and the river catchments which would have been drained under the arterial drainage programme, if that programme had proceeded in accordance with its existing priority list with resources in each of the next five years equivalent in real terms to the resources in 1978; (b) the amount of money which will now be spent; and (c) the river catchments which will be drained in the next five years, in view of the EEC aid to drainage in the west of Ireland.

: The major drainage schemes at present in progress on the Boyne and Maigue will take an-other five years to complete. The amount required to finance those schemes over that period is estimated at £18 million at present prices. Funds amounting to about £5.5 million have been approved by the Council of Ministers of the EEC for extra arterial drainage work in the western region over the next five years on the basis that the amount will be matched £ for £ by us and subject to an agreed programme of work. A programme put forward by us is under consideration by the Standing Committee on Agricultural Structures of the EEC.

: Could the Minister say how much money the State has put up this year towards the EEC funds for drainage purposes?

: There is no point in stating that.

: Will a cost-benefit analysis survey have to be carried out in respect of areas to be drained? If that is the case, will it not delay the implementation of works and use up much of the European money on administration and inspection and engineering costs?

: I cannot anticipate the decision that will be made on this matter in Brussels. I cannot comment at this stage.

28.