asked the Minister for Finance the up-to-date position regarding the drainage of the Dunkillin River, County Galway.

Since the matter was last raised by the Deputy in December 1978, some progress has been made on the design of a drainage scheme for the Dunkellin catchment. However, much still remains to be done and I could not say at this stage when the preparation of the scheme will be completed.

I should like to welcome the Minister. This is his first time answering questions. However, I am thoroughly disappointed with the reply. Is the Minister aware that his predecessor promised me and another Deputy who is present that he would recruit the necessary staff to have the survey carried out immediately and that that was early last year? What progress has been made since then? Have the staff in question been recruited?

The Minister of State has already answered that question.

He has not.

Does Deputy Callanan wish to ask a question?

The Minister should answer my question. What progress has been made since we met Deputy Wyse?

The Dunkellin is a minor catchment and has been reached in the drainage programmes. Fifteen surveys were completed in 1969 and a certain amount of progress has been made with the design of the scheme.

Is the Minister aware that I have a letter dated 25 March 1980, and it is stated in the last paragraph of that that every endeavour will be made to clear the way for starting the work——

The Deputy may not quote.

——and that if all goes well this can be achieved in 1972? This is 1980. Is the Minister aware of that?

I am calling on Deputy Callanan.

The Chair should allow the Minister to answer my supplementaries.

The Deputy is only looking for a comment.

Is the Minister aware of the promises made?

(Cavan-Monaghan): Can the Minister explain why it did not commence in 1972?

Why did it not happen in 1973?

I should also like to congratulate the Minister. Going back to 1972 is ridiculous. What we want to know is the current position. No Government—the Coalition were in for four years—made any attempt to do anything about it. This river starts at my door and can the Minister give me an assurance that a cost-benefit survey will be carried out so that when we funds from the EEC—we already have received £40 million for arterial drainage——

Not a penny has been spent in our county.

There was. It was in north Galway.

No, the Deputy is wrong——

Can the Minister give an assurance that a cost-benefit survey will be carried out?

The completion of the design is necessary to prepare the scheme——

When will it be necessary?

Following preparations for the scheme the question of a cost-benefit analysis will arise. However, in view of the extent of existing commitments and the amount of work to be done on the Dunkellin scheme it will be some time before the scheme gets under way.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Will it be done in this century?

I am sure it will.

I should like to give notice that I intend to raise this question every time I am allowed, which is about every six months, until such time as something is done about it.

I will communicate with the Deputy.

I am not raising it on the Adjournment because that would be a waste of time.