asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to start work on the arterial draining of the river Blackwater.

4.

asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that there will be sufficient EEC funds to complete the drainage of the Ulster Blackwater on this side of the Border.

5.

asked the Minister for Finance whether the Government intend to proceed with the Blackwater river catchment drainage scheme, County Monaghan; if he will confirm that £1.86 million was allocated in the Estimates by the last Government for expenditure in 1983 on this project; and the sums of money that have been allocated by the present Government for this project in the revised Estimates for 1983.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3, 4 and 5 together.

It is expected that work will start later this year on the outfall channels of the Blackwater catchment which are located wholly or partly in Northern Ireland. A scheme for the channels in County Monaghan is being prepared for formal exhibition under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 with a view to commencing works when the outfall channels are completed. At this stage I cannot say when these channels will be completed.

Under the terms of the relevant EEC Directive, the funds required for the joint Ulster Blackwater drainage scheme are to be provided by the Governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom assisted by way of a grant from Community moneys. I can see no reason why the funds to be thus provided will not be sufficient to enable the scheme to be completed.

A sum of £1.86 million has been provided in the current year's estimates for this project.

Will money from that EEC allocation of, I think, £5 million be available following the completion of the drainage on the Six Counties side of the Border? Is the Minister aware that this project was the subject of an EEC directive in 1979 which, now four years later, gives no timescale as to when drainage of the portion of the Blackwater in County Monaghan will be commenced?

As I have said, the scheme is being funded by the Governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom and there is grant money also from the Community. This grant money is paid as a refund for part of the work done, as I am sure the Deputy is aware. The outfall in the Northern part of the country will have to be done prior to any work being carried out in this part of the country. We are now preparing to take it up as soon as that happens. The scheme will have to be exhibited and put through the normal procedures under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Act of 1945. It definitely will be ready to be taken up. As a matter of fact there is £1.86 million allotted for this year to do that work as soon as the outfall channels are completed.

Can the Minister of State say what the £1.86 million will be used for? I presume it will not all be necessary for the survey of the river?

No, there will be funding if the outfall is completed on the Northern side of the Border. It is obvious that the job cannot be done until the outfall is done on the other side. I cannot say when that will be.