asked the Minister for Finance when it is hoped to commence drainage of the River Bonnet.

Engineering investigations preparatory to the design of a scheme for this area are still in progress. I will not be able to say when actual works can be begun until a scheme has been prepared and the statutory requirements of exhibition, etc., have been complied with.

Could the Minister give any indication as to when the preparation of the scheme will be completed and ready for exhibition?

I think it is too early to be able to make any reliable prediction in that regard.

Would he say 12 months?

I do not want to make any crystal ball announcement at this stage.

Will it be in the same category as the Shannon?

The trouble with some of the Members on the Opposition Benches seems to be that they are afraid of their lives that the scheme will go ahead much sooner than they would like.

We know well that it will not.