asked the Minister for Finance if a scheme has yet been worked out between the Office of Public Works and the Department of Local Government for the relief of flooding in the Glenflesk area, near Killarney; and, since the matter is one of extreme urgency, if he can now make a statement which may relieve the anxiety of the flood victims concerned.

As I explained to a deputation in November last, the Commissioners of Public Works could deal with flooding in the Glenflesk area only by means of a scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, for the Laune catchment, and it will be several years before that catchment can be reached in the arterial drainage programme. There was no question of a joint scheme being worked out between the Office of Public Works and the Department of Local Government but in furtherance of my promise to the deputation, I mentioned the matter to the Minister for Local Government so that he would be aware of the circumstances of the case if proposals in respect of road improvements were made to him.