asked the Minister for Finance if he has any proposals for the draining of the Lowerwood River, Moate, County Westmeath.

There are no immediate proposals for the drainage of the Lowerwood River which will be considered in connection with the scheme which is being investigated for the main River Shannon.

Having regard to the Parliamentary Secretary's advice to members of the House to ask supplementary questions, and seeing that Deputy Sheridan is not present. I now ask if the Parliamentary Secretary is giving the full answer or does he expect to arrive at a decision in the near future and does he propose to specify a date on which he proposes to give a decision?

Deputy Ryan is trying to be facetious and not very successful.

Can the House be assured that the Parliamentary Secretary will not tell some Fianna Fáil Deputy to get on the blower to some Fianna Fáil cumann in Longford-Westmeath and disclose the information which he will not disclose to the House?

The Deputy is still making an ass of himself.

The Parliamentary Secretary will note that Deputy Sheridan is not present and that therefore he is under no obligation to give the full truth in the answer.