asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the growing concern among the landowners in the catchment area of the River Lennon; if he has any plans for the initiation of a drainage scheme and also taking into account Donegal County Council's interest in extracting water from this river to augment the acute shortage of a water supply in Letterkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

While I am aware of the concern of the landowners in the River Lennon catchment area, a drainage scheme for this river, under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, could be considered only in the context of a comprehensive scheme for the entire catchment. I am not in a position to say when consideration might be given to the implementation of a scheme for the Lennon.