(Limerick East) asked the Minister for Finance the work which will be carried out, on the Mulcair drainage project, County Limerick this year if the priority status given to the Mulcair project by the previous Government is being maintained; and if he will make a statement on the Government's intentions regarding arterial drainage over the next three years.

Design work on four arterial drainage schemes was resumed in September 1986 following a Government decision in the matter on 28 August last. The priority rating accorded by the then Minister for Finance to the Mulcair catchment remains unaltered.

As scheme designs are completed over the next three years, consideration will be given to the execution of the scheme works in the light of the resources required and prevailing budgetary circumstances. ]Construction works on arterial drainage schemes at the Boyle, Bonet and Monaghan Blackwater rivers will continue during the period in question.

(Limerick East): Can I ask the Minister when he expects the design work to be completed in respect of the Mulcair catchment area. Could the Minister tell us if the priority accorded for design purposes will also extend to the drainage of the four rivers which were affected by the Government decision on 28 August last, and could he inform the House of the allocation in this budgetary year towards design work in respect of arterial drainage.

The decision taken on 28 August last refers specifically to the design work. I assume that the design work which is a very detailed operation will take some considerable time and I am not certain when it will be concluded.

(Limerick East): The Minister should not be assuming. He must have a termination date in his brief.

If I had the information sought by the Deputy in my brief he would get it. I am giving the Deputy the information I have got and which he asked for. The decision of the outgoing Government referred to design only and no decision was made with regard to the drainage works which would be subsequent to the completion of the design. The amount of money allocated this year for design works is £250,000

(Limerick East): Is the Minister telling the House that he has no idea when the design work on the Mulcair drainage project will be completed and the design team have been given no termination date for completion of design.

A decision was made by the outgoing Government altering the priorities vis-à-vis design. When that decision was made it seems that no definite date was given as to when the design work would proceed.

(Limerick East): The commitment given was 18 months.

The design work is proceeding on four different rivers.

(Limerick East): Can the Minister tell us if it will be completed within 18 months.

I hope so.

(Limerick East): Can the Minister give a commitment that the Mulcair river will be drained.

The outgoing Government made a decision vis-à-vis design. There was no firm commitment about drainage or anything like that. When the design work has been completed a report will be made to the Government and recommendations will be made based on the design report. I could not foretell at this stage what that report will contain or what the subsequent decision will be.

(Limerick East): Is the Minister saying that the Government have made no decision whatsoever about the drainage of the Mulcair river apart from allowing the design to proceed and is he giving no commitment whatsoever that the Mulcair river will be drained while his Government are in office.

The Government have been very positive with regard to arterial drainage. We have provided a sum of in excess of £15 million towards arterial drainage this year. The design work is proceeding and the matter will be under review pending the completion of the design work.

(Limerick East): Has any decision been taken?

No decision can be taken until the design work is completed.

Question No. 48.

(Limerick East): Why?

No decision can be taken until the design work is completed.

Both sides of the House must listen to the Chair. I will allow a very brief supplementary. I have allowed the Deputy a lot of latitude on this question. There are three other questions to be disposed of within the prescribed time. I am sure I will get the Deputy's co-operation to have them dealt with also.

(Limerick East): I appreciate that. Two of the questions are in my name, so I am penalising myself if I take up time.

Deputy Colley is also involved.

(Limerick East): I am sure she will be given adequate time. I would like to ask the Minister if he can give a commitment to the people whose land has been continually flooded in the Mulcair catchment that the drainage of the river will follow the completion of the design.

When the design work, the surveys, the cost benefit analysis and the costing have been completed, an appropriate decision will be made at a given time.