asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he is aware that there are considerable areas of land in the County of Mayo which can be easily and economically reclaimed; that such reclamation would be of considerable benefit to the county, climatically and industrially; if he will instruct the officers of his Department to prepare a Schedule of the areas that can be most expeditiously reclaimed, and if he will ask the Dáil during the present Session to vote the moneys necessary to have the proposed reclamation carried out and the lands made available for agricultural purposes.

The Minister for Lands and Agriculture understands that there are areas in County Mayo which might be reclaimed with benefit to the localities. Under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925, schemes can be put into operation with the approval of the Board of Works and the County Council, and any proposals under this head may be put before the Board of Works by the parties concerned. If the provisions of this Act are availed of, the results will be that considerable areas of lands will be rendered more suitable for agricultural purposes.

Will the Minister say when these schemes will be carried out? I am informed that no work will be carried out under the Arterial Drainage Act until 1927. Surely this matter should be expedited.

Is the Minister aware that, owing to the poverty of the County of Mayo, they cannot enter into large schemes of reclamation or drainage works to any extent?

In the absence of the Minister for Agriculture, I would prefer not to answer that question.