asked the Minister for Finance whether the drainage of the River Boyne has been changed in the priority list; whether a river in the West of Ireland has been substituted in its stead; and when the Boyne drainage is likely to be commenced.

The place of the Boyne on the national drainage programme has not been changed. Engineering and valuation surveys of the catchment are in progress. When completed, these will be studied to ascertain whether or not a scheme can be prepared.

It is too soon to state precisely when they will be completed, and I am, therefore, unable to say when drainage will begin.