asked the Minister for Finance the present position concerning the drainage of the Graney or Scariff River, County Clare.

The Graney or Scariff river is No. 12 on the priority list of minor catchments to be considered under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 but, in view of present commitments, it is not possible to say when the Scariff catchment might be reached in the drainage programme.

37.

asked the Minister for Finance the steps being taken to prepare a drainage scheme in respect of the Bonet River which, due to severe flooding, continues to cause damage over a very wide area in County Leitrim.

The Bonet is No. 8 on the priority list of minor catchments to be considered for treatment under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. A survey of this catchment has been made with a view to formulating an arterial drainage scheme. It will, however, be necessary to carry out a cost/ benefit analysis to assess the merits of possible schemes as a capital investment. This will be done in due course.

Cost/benefit analysis for a minor catchment area. The Parliamentary Secretary has a bee in his bonnet.

The Deputy may blame the former Minister for Finance. He insisted on that in 1969.

The Parliamentary Secretary promised he would circulate them to us but he never did.