asked the Minister for Finance if he will expedite arrangements for the drainage of (1) the river Bonnett which flows from Manorhamilton and Dromahair to the sea at Ballysodare, County Sligo, (2) the Kilcoo river which forms the boundary between Counties Leitrim and Fermanagh, and (3) the river Drowes, Counties Leitrim and Sligo, in view of the fact that these rivers cause a considerable amount of damage to adjacent lands by periodic overflowing.

The carrying out of schemes under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, for these catchment areas will be considered in due course but it will be a considerable time before they can be reached in the arterial drainage programme.

Could the Minister give any indication of when these schemes are likely to be put into operation?

No—a considerable time. They are on the minor catchments.

A considerable time might mean six months or 12 months?

I am afraid it might mean more.