asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the constant flooding of the roads between Dunboyne and Clonee in County Meath, owing to the drainage of the local small river not being carried out, is causing great inconvenience to the general public, and is also holding up much valuable land reclamation in this area: if in view of this serious position this drainage work will get immediate consideration; and when drainage operations will commence.

This is part of the Tolka catchment area which is scheduled for consideration in the arterial drainage programme. It will be some years yet before it can be reached.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that for the last two years those roads were flooded to depths of two and three feet during periodic floods? Is it fair that local drainage works, which could be done by a minor scheme, should be held up for any time up to four years?

It might not be possible to have it done by any scheme at all because it is in the urban area.