asked the Minister for Finance if he has any drainage scheme prepared for the Erne River from the Fermanagh-Cavan border to the source of the river in order to relieve the severe flood damage in County Cavan; and, if so, when it is expected that the scheme will be put into operation.

An engineering survey of the portion of the River Erne catchment referred to in the question was commenced this year by the Commissioners of Public Works, pursuant to the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. The survey and subsequent investigation will take several years and at this early stage it is not possible to forecast when a drainage scheme for the catchment may be formulated.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary state if any representations have been made by our Government to the Six-County Government in relation to the acute flooding position in Cavan at present and, if so, with what result?

Does the Deputy mean representations with reference to the survey now in operation?

Yes.

I do not think any recent representations have been made.

But have discussions not been proceeding between our Government and the Six-County Government relative to the drainage of the Erne basin?

Over a long period.

Has any recent progress been made in them?

As far as I know, no agreement was reached. This survey is designed to deal with that part of the area in which no Border question is involved. When a scheme becomes possible as a result of the survey now taking place, I take it that at that stage there will be further talks with the people in the North.

Is it not a fact there were discussions two years ago and that following those discussions the Six-County Government were to do certain drainage work on their part of the Erne?

They have completed it, in fact.

Why do we not go on then?