asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to carry out drainage work on the Cooleen River, Moate, County Westmeath where flooding has affected the holding of some 20 farmers.

The Cooleen River is a scheduled channel of the completed Inny catchment drainage scheme and will be included in the programme for maintenance works during the coming season.

17.

asked the Minister for Finance the progress that was made in 1976 in the arterial drainage programme; and the proposals he has for such drainage in 1977.

A tabular statement, which I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate with the Official Report, indicates the progress that was made in 1976 in the arterial drainage programme and the arterial drainage proposals for 1977.

Following is the statement:

During 1976 the following schemes were

During 1977 works on the Boyne and Maigue and the maintenance of completed schemes will be continued and it is hoped that the Corrib-Mask-Robe will be ready to start at the end of the year.

18.

asked the Minister for Finance the position of the river Fergus in the priority list of areas for drainage; the progress, if any, that has been made on the higher placed catchments; and when he expects the catchment will be drained.

Out of the priority list of 28 major catchments, of which the Fergus is No. 20, arterial drainage operations have been carried out in nine and are in progress in two. I cannot at this stage say when the Fergus can be undertaken.

Has any money been provided in the estimate for the Fergus?

No. The prospect for the Fergus is not good.

19.

asked the Minister for Finance when the Cooraclare/ Doonbeg catchment, County Clare will be drained.

It is not possible to forecast when the Cooraclare/Doonbeg catchment may be reached in the national arterial drainage programme of the Commissioners of Public Works, as the catchment is not included in the settled priority lists which have been upheld by successive Governments.

What is the possibility of having it included? What has to be done to have it included in the list?

As I pointed out, it is not included in the settled priority lists which have been upheld by successive Governments. I have no intention of changing that.

When a number of catchments have been completed is it not the policy to put on further catchments?

I am afraid the news is bad.

Can it not even be put on the list?

No way.