asked the Minister for Agriculture the plans to expedite assessment and approvals for reclamation, and land improvement claims under the EEC Western Drainage proposals.

Progress on the western drainage scheme is subject to continuous review. Under this process the number of field staff engaged on the scheme has been increased and the issue of approvals is now proceeding at a satisfactory rate.

This question arose from claims submitted to the Department under the western drainage proposals scheme. These people were informed that they might have to wait up to two years for an assessment. Does the Minister consider that long?

I would consider it very wrong of any official to tell an applicant any such thing because the approvals are going out at the normal rate. They were slow for the first few months because of the inclement weather but we have additional staff to deal with this scheme and approvals are going out within a satisfactory time.

Does the Minister intend to draw in extra staff from other counties?

Yes, if the need arises.

If the Minister draws staff from other counties does that mean there will be a reduction in activity in the other counties?

No. We have employed 40 additional people to deal with this problem and we will get more, I understand, from the Civil Service Commission, if the need arises. There is no question of running down any department.