asked the Minister for Finance (a) the names of the rivers that it has been decided to drain under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 in Cavan, and (b) the total amount of money which has so far been spent in Cavan since the Act became operative.

(a) The south-eastern portion of County Cavan in the Kingscourt area has been served by the Glyde and Dee catchment scheme under which works have been completed on the Glyde, Lagan and Kilmainham Rivers and their tributaries. The south-western portion in the Ballyjamesduff-Mount Nugent area is being dealt with by the Inny scheme which is in progress and will include the Upper Inny and Mount Nugent rivers and their tributaries.

The Bailieborough-Virginia area is included in the Boyne catchment which will cover the Upper Blackwater, Cross Water, Cuileagh, Dunacry, Moynalty and Barora rivers and their tributaries. An engineering survey of the catchment has been completed and the preparation of a scheme is in hands.

The major part of the county is served by the River Erne catchment scheme which will include the main River Erne as well as the Annalee, Dromore, and Cullies rivers and their tributaries. In this case also a survey has been made and the preparation of a scheme is in hands.

(b) Drainage schemes are carried out on a catchment area basis and consequently records of expenditure on a county basis are not kept.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary give any indication when any of these schemes will be commenced?

With regard to the Boyne, in reply to a Parliamentary question I have already indicated it is hoped work will start there in 196566. With regard to the River Erne, I have also indicated it is possible that at the same time work might start on portion of this.

We were told three or four years ago that the Boyne-Black-water drainage scheme would start within the next two or three years. Now the Parliamentary Secretary says it might be 1955-56. Is that not putting it on the long finger?

I am giving the facts as I find them.

Can anything be done to speed it up?