asked the Minister for Finance the details of the preparatory work still remaining to be completed before work can commence on the drainage of the Mulcair catchment area; and the estimated period of time for the completion of the remaining preparatory work.

10.

asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the very serious unemployment situation in the Limerick region, he will take special steps to enable work on the drainage of the Mulcair catchment area to commence immediately following the Maigue scheme; and, if not, why.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 10 together.

A considerable amount of work remains to be done before a drainage scheme for the Mulcair catchment can be formulated. This includes completion of the design, a cost/benefit analysis, preparation of detailed drawings, schedules and so on; local exhibition and service of interference notices; consideration of observations and consultation with other Departments. At this stage I am unable to say when a scheme would reach works stage.

Is the Minister of State aware of the great concern in the region regarding the drainage of this catchment area, not merely from the point of view of arterial drainage itself but because another major catchment scheme adjacent to this is in progress and there are about 300 men employed. Would the Minister of State make a special effort to try to expedite the preparatory work so that drainage of the Mulcair could start soon?

I am aware that a number of catchment schemes require urgent attention. I am trying to increase the number of people, especially engineering personnel, employed in this area to try to catch up with the backlog of work.

9.

asked the Minister for Finance if the priority list of catchment areas under the Arterial Drainage Act has ever been changed; and, if so, when and the circumstances in which it was changed.

The priority lists for major and minor catchment areas were drawn up in 1946. Although there were some minor adjustments to the lists between 1948 and 1959, these did not materially affect the net result.

Would the Minister of State tell us if the west of Ireland drainage with EEC assistance will alter the original priority list?

So far there has been no question of changing the priority list. If the EEC fund is on-going, it will probably change the priority list.

Is there any system for reviewing the priority list, which appears to be 32 years old?

I have given a great deal of consideration to various lists. As the Deputy knows, I often meet deputations and I usually look at the priority list.

There is no structure for regular reviews?

Yes.

To clarify certain points in regard to the priority list, if the Minister of State wants to alter the priority list, will it entail amending legislation or can it be done by ministerial order?

No, the priority list can be changed.

11.

asked the Minister for Finance the exact position of the River Suir on the priority drainage list; and if he will supply a copy of the report of the survey of the catchment area which was carried out in connection with this project to the local authority committee who are examining it.

12.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will receive a deputation from the committee examining the feasability of having the Suir drainage scheme reactivated.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.

The Suir is No. 15 on the priority list of major catchments. Although the catchment has been surveyed a report thereon is not yet available. However, requests for specific information on the survey will be considered by my office.

I am prepared to consider any request that I receive a deputation to discuss the drainage of the River Suir. I would point out, however, that there is little I could tell a meeting other than that a scheme for the catchment is in course of preparation but that it will be several years yet before it could reach works stage.

Will the Minister make available the salient features of the survey report to which I referred?

I am prepared to make available to the Deputy at any time any information he would consider would be of benefit to him.

I am grateful to the Minister. Is the Minister aware of the damage done and the heavy financial losses sustained by farmers and householders in the area due to the annual flooding of the River Suir? Is he further aware of the feelings of disappointment and exasperation on the part of all of us at the many years of waiting for the implementation of the scheme? Can he give me no better assurance on when this important project will commence and when the necessary moneys will be made available for it?

Quite a lot of information has been compiled on this. It must go through the normal procedures of costing, the benefit to the area, matters of that kind, as the Deputy is aware. Quite a lot of work has been done but I cannot say at this stage how soon we can start the scheme.

Can the Minister say when the report will be available?

At this stage I cannot.

Will it not be soon? Can we not assume that it will be very soon by reason of the long years of work on the survey?

I can inform the Deputy—and everybody interested in drainage schemes—that there will be no unnecessary delay in finalising any one of them.

Yet the Minister can give no indication that the report will be available next year, the year after or whenever?

No, at this stage I cannot give that information but there will be no unnecessary delay in finalising the scheme.

I look forward to as much of a report as possible at the Minister's pleasure.