asked the Minister for Finance if he will agree to the preparation and carrying out of a drainage scheme for the Little Brosna river which is regarded as being too large an undertaking to be appropriate to the Special Employment Schemes Office.

The Little Brosna has been listed for treatment in the arterial drainage programme. The drainage of the catchment is bound up with the Shannon flood problem which is under investigation following the report of the American Consultant, Mr. Rydell. Pending the outcome of that investigation I can give no indication as to the prospects of a drainage scheme for the Little Brosna.