asked the Minister for Finance if the drainage of the River Shannon has been deferred by the Government; and, if not, when developments are likely in the matter.

The preparation of plans for a number of arterial drainage schemes including that for the River Shannon catchment has been deferred pending receipt of the report on the cost/benefit study mentioned in my statement to the Dáil on 17th November, 1971, in connection with arterial drainage policy.

May we take it from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply that the question of the drainage of the Shannon has been deferred indefinitely?

Until the next election.

It is not possible to say when consideration of proposals for this work can be resumed in any serious way. However, I should like to state that since the Shannon drainage scheme was mooted in 1965, the potential of the River Shannon as a recreational cruiseway and for other aquatic sports has projected itself. With the growth of worldwide demand for aquatic sports generally, and in view of our entry into the EEC, these resources must be taken into account fully when the cost/benefit study is being made.

That is a whole lot of crap.

Is "crap" a parliamentary expression?

In view of the fact that there is now no prospect of landowners in the Shannon valley getting any relief if their land is flooded, has the Parliamentary Secretary any proposals which might help them?

I have already given the House an undertaking that these figures will be ready early in the New Year, after which the Government will consider their policy with regard to arterial drainage generally.

What figures does the Parliamentary Secretary mean?

They are in relation to the cost/benefit study of the arterial drainage programme.

Will there be any advantage to the people whose lands are flooded?

I hope so.

Did the Parliamentary Secretary say that the Shannon drainage scheme was mooted in 1965?

It is the date that is usually referred to by Deputies.

That is the new Fianna Fáil date.

It was when a serious effort was made to do the work.