75 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the maintenance, if any, which has been carried out on the rivers and river banks in County Louth by the Office of Public Works in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3748/97]

The Commissioners of Public Works have an obligation under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 to maintain drainage works carried out under a drainage scheme "in proper repair and effective condition".

Following are details of the channel maintenance undertaken in County Louth in the last five years: