asked the Minister for Finance if he will arrange for an immediate survey of the course of the River Nore through the Counties of Laoighis and Kilkenny; if he is aware that this river has been the cause of severe flooding for some time past in Laoighis; and if he will have a comprehensive drainage scheme, for the area involved, prepared and put into operation at an early date.

asked the Minister for Finance whether he has yet undertaken a survey of the Nore catchment area; and if not, when it is anticipated his Department will be in a position to make a survey of the said area.

I propose to take Questions 30 and 31 together. I would refer the Deputies to the reply given by me on 17th October, 1945, to a similar question by Deputy Coogan, in which I stated that there is little likelihood that the River Nore can be dealt with at an early stage of the drainage programme.

Am I to understand that there is no intention on the part of the Parliamentary Secretary's Department to make a survey of the River Nore catchment area?

I have all kinds of intentions, but I have told the Deputy that it is not possible to give any assurance that this river will be dealt with at an early stage of the drainage programme.

What does the Parliamentary Secretary mean to convey to the House by "an early stage"? How many years, roughly?

I could not tell you.

Will it be 50 years?

It will only take 28 years to finish it.

It might be 49.

When does the Parliamentary Secretary propose to survey the area?

I could not tell you.

In five years' time?

I could not tell you.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the situation in Leix, where the farmers in the lower area will find it impossible to till the lands in future, and also in Deputy Coogan's constituency?

In every case where land is flooded it is a serious matter for the farmers concerned.