Coveney does not rule out drainage grants

Drainage grants have not been ruled out by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

He said further targeted areas may be identified within the lifetime of the new rural development programme, and the issue of a drainage scheme will be borne in mind in that context.

But it was concluded in his Department that too many issues of an environmental, financial and administrative nature would have to be overcome in proposing such a scheme as a priority measure under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme.