asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the cause of the delay in inaugurating work on the River Deale and Swilly Burn drainage scheme.

It has been necessary to comply with the requirements of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, and there has been no avoidable delay in this respect. The Commissioners of Public Works are now about to submit the scheme for confirmation by the Minister for Finance in accordance with Section 7 of the Act.