asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether in cases where the time has elapsed for work to be completed under the western drainage scheme, he will consider giving a further extension.

Each approved applicant under the western drainage scheme is given adequate time to complete the work. In view of the limitation on the area which can benefit under the scheme and the large number of applicants who have not been offered schemes of work, it would not be equitable to extend the time limit where the work is not completed within the period allowed.

Does the Minister not agree that there should be a liberal view in regard to completion dates for farmers who carry out the work from their own resources during slack periods?

In 1983 I extended the date for completion of work in the case of farm buildings to the end of August and in the case of drainage to the end of September, in view of the bad weather in the late spring and early summer. There is, however, another aspect. There is a huge number of applications for inclusion in the scheme and if we do not have a time limit many of them could not be dealt with. People whose applications had been accepted could allow them to lie dormant and might never carry out the work while preventing other people from proceeding.

There are cases where an allowance should be made.

Making general rules can create all sorts of difficulties but if I find a case of genuine hardship I will be prepared to consider the matter.