asked the Minister for Finance when work will commence on the drainage of the river Boyle, County Roscommon.

It is expected that works under the Boyle drainage scheme will commence in the second half of this year.

Can the Minister state the exact date on which work will commence, if extra staff have been recruited and if machinery has been engaged for this purpose?

The Boyle catchment drainage scheme will be on exhibition until 21 March 1980. The statutory period for submitting observations on the scheme will expire on 19 May 1980. All such observations must be considered and Government Departments formally consulted prior to submission of the scheme to the Minister for Finance for confirmation. All going well it will commence later this year.

Is it in order to congratulate the Minister for allocating this money to Roscommon——

It is not.

——after waiting many years under the Coalition Government for drainage in that area?

Will the Deputy congratulate him on draining the Shannon?

The Deputy is the only person congratulating the Minister or the Government at present.

We will congratulate the Minister when the work is completed.

Is it a fact that Fianna Fáil promises to drain the river Boyle were given when Deputy Leyden was still in nappies?

Deputy Harte should refrain from asking silly questions.

I would be an old man if I was waiting for the Coalition to drain it.

The Deputy will be that before it is drained. Remember all the by-elections fought on draining the Shannon.

I am calling the next question.