Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if provision has been made in budget 2008 for the maintenance of the Dunkellin river basin from the estuary through to Killeely, Craughwell to include Aggard, Monksfield and Cregaclare and the Ardrahan area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35089/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Dunkellin River forms part of a Drainage District and maintenance responsibility for this area lies with the Local Authority. However, the Commissioners of Public Works are currently in consultation with the Irish Farmers Association and Galway Co. Council in relation to a programme of maintenance works to relieve flooding on the Dunkellin River from downstream of Killeely to Craughwell. The proposed works are to include a portion of the existing Drainage District in the Aggard, Monksfield and the Ardrahan areas.

The Dunkellin River drains a number of turloughs and is therefore ecologically very sensitive, and the OPW will be consulting with a range of conservation management groups including National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Western Regional Fisheries Board and the Central Fisheries Board. Pending a favourable outcome to this consultation process, it is envisaged that these works will commence in 2008.