asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that serious flooding has been caused by the overflow of the rivers Duff and Bundrowse in Counties Sligo and Leitrim, and, if so, if he will sanction as soon as possible payment of a grant for the drainage of these rivers.

I presume that the Deputy is referring to proposals under the Local Authorities (Works) Act. The initiation of proposals under that Act is a matter for each local authority concerned. There are no proposals before my Department in relation to either of these two rivers in connection with grants available for works under the Act. I understand that officers of the county councils concerned inspected the River Duff in 1953 and came to the conclusion that any effective drainage work on it would be of arterial dimensions. Work on that scale would be outside the scope of the schemes dealt with by local authorities under the Local Authorities (Works) Act.

Hear, hear!