Underspending on arterial drainage
Wyse attributed the roughly £900,000 underspend in 1978 to delayed commencement of the Corrib-Mask-Robe works, property acquisition difficulties for the Drogheda bridge, and lower compensation payments. Bruton called the underspend unacceptable and questioned the delay; Wyse defended the Government’s record, citing five schemes underway.
asked the Minister for Finance why the provision for construction works for arterial drainage in the 1978 Estimates was underspent to the extent of £1 million or almost one quarter of the amount provided.
Comment on this
The provision in 1978 for arterial drainage construction works was underspent by some £900,000 because: (i) works on the Corrib/Mask/Robe did not commence until the current year; (ii) work on the proposed new bridge for Drogheda has been held up by difficulties in the acquisition of property; and (iii) there was under-expenditure in compensation payments.
Comment on this
Would the Minister agree that it is outrageous that £1 million voted in this House for arterial drainage should not have been spent?
Comment on this
Fianna Fáil have been in office now for a year and a half, and they have been talking for years.