asked the Minister for Finance if he will state when it will be possible to take preliminary steps in the preparation of a major drainage scheme for the River Nore, which is causing very serious annual losses to the hundreds of land owners living in the catchment area in Counties Laoighis and Kilkenny, as a result of heavy and prolonged flooding of their holdings.

It is not possible to say when a comprehensive scheme for the Nore catchment can be undertaken.