asked the Minister for Finance if he has received memorials from farmers in County Cavan giving particulars of losses they have sustained through the destruction of their crops by floods along the River Erne and its tributaries, and requesting that an inspector be sent to see and value the damage done, with a view to the Government rendering assistance; if it is the intention of the Government to accede to the memorialists' requests; and, if so, will prompt action be taken to relieve immediately the prevailing distress, and also secure the afflicted farmers against the consequences of a barren harvest.

The Commissioners are preparing a detailed drainage scheme for the River Erne and its tributaries, including the Annalee River up as far as Bellanacargy Bridge. In connection with the proposed drainage of the Dromore River the Commissioners intend to make a detailed survey of that river, and they also propose to examine the Annalee River from Tullyvin to Bellanacargy Bridge. The Commissioners have received the memorial referred to in the question, but no petition under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925, has been presented to them in respect of the length of river concerned and, if a drainage scheme is desired, steps should be taken to have such a petition presented to the Cavan County Council without delay. I may add that it would not be possible to start actual drainage works in the area for a long time. The Land Commission is being asked for a report on the matter.

The Parliamentary Secretary must be aware that the reply he has read is not an answer to the question on the Order Paper. Question 3 deals with the flooding of lands and the consequent damage and destruction of crops. It has nothing at all to do with drainage. Would the Parliamentary Secretary state what steps have been taken to meet the situation set out in the memorial sent in by the people whose land has been damaged?

The Deputy must be aware that we cannot prevent flooding. The only way in which we can relieve a district from the effects of flooding is by drainage, and it takes a considerable time to carry out a drainage scheme.

This question deals with crops that have been destroyed as a result of flooding. It is possible that this question was handed over to the wrong Department for reply. I understand that the memorial was addressed to the President.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary state what he considers a reasonable time?

It depends on the circumstances absolutely.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this has been under consideration for the last six or seven years?

It may have been under consideration for the last fifty years.

And nothing done.

In connection with the damage done to crops by flooding in various districts, can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether it is the intention of the Government to bring in a relief measure to deal with the situation? Such a measure is very urgently required.

That could only be dealt with in a general way.

Perhaps the Minister for Finance would look into it.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Land Commission have sent a communication to a parish adjoining the one from which this memorial came requesting particulars of damage done, and that such particulars have been given in other parishes?

I am not aware of that.

Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary to the Land Commission would explain how two Departments come to deal with the same thing?