asked the Minister for Finance whether he has received a request from Louth County Council to receive a deputation from that body to discuss the question of financial assistance from the Government towards the maintenance charges imposed on the council in regard to the Glyde and Dee rivers, and, if so, whether he will receive the deputation.

A letter dated 19th February containing the request referred to in the question has been received in my Department. The request raises an issue of wide application. The fundamental basis of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, is that the State bears the whole of the cost of construction works and that liability for the full cost of maintenance of the completed works rests with the county councils concerned. It is not proposed to introduce legislation to amend these provisions and, in the circumstances, the reception of a deputation would serve no useful purpose.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the imposition of the cost of this maintenance work will increase the rate in County Louth by at least 8d. and, in view of the fact that the main arterial drainage work was carried out for the express purpose of increasing agricultural output throughout the country as a whole at the expense of the Exchequer, does he not agree that the maintenance work should be borne by the Government for the very same reason?

No, I do not agree. The Louth County Council raised no question whatsoever about maintenance when the scheme was sent in 1939 for exhibition and consideration.

Were they informed of the liabilities at that time?

They were, of course.

In any event, they knew they would have to bear the maintenance.

It cannot be taken off them now.