asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state what is the cause of the delay with regard to the drainage of the Ballysallagh or Ray River, near Ramelton, Co. Donegal.

The drainage scheme to which the Deputy refers is a minor scheme to which the Arterial Drainage (Minor Schemes) Act, 1928, applies and it is accordingly a matter primarily for the local authority. I am informed that the Donegal County Council have by resolution directed that the carrying out of such schemes in the county be made contingent on sanction being given to a proposed increase in the salaries of the Assistant County Surveyors. The question of sanctioning such increases is, however, involved with the proposed co-ordination of the county engineering services, consideration of which the county council themselves have deferred.