asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if his attention has been drawn to a report presented to Kildare County Council by Dr. Joseph P. Daly, County Tuberculosis Officer, in which he states that in his opinion the recurring flooding of the River Barrow is a serious menace to the health of the people living in the vicinity of that river; that medical men working amongst these people are convinced that the large number of chest and rheumatic cases they meet with are largely due to the unhealthy conditions brought about by the floods, which are grave predisposing causes of pulmonary tuberculosis, and if he will take steps to have the statements contained in the report verified by a member or members of the medical staff of his Department.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BARROW DRAINAGE AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
My attention has been drawn to the conditions referred to, but I have not seen the report mentioned nor am I aware of an abnormal incidence of tuberculosis in the districts concerned.
The Chief Engineering Inspector from my Department visited the locality last week, accompanied by Deputy Colohan, the County Surveyor, and a representative of the Board of Works. I understand they are agreed that no satisfactory results could be obtained unless at a very considerable cost. I have brought my Inspector's report to the notice of the Ministry of Finance and the Board of Works, as they will be jointly concerned in taking any further action which they may deem necessary.
Will the Minister say if Mr. C. Smith has made any reference to a suggestion of mine that this money that the Government propose to grant for this drainage scheme, could be usefully spent on the tributaries leading into the Barrow, and that most of the money could be spent in wages, a very small proportion of it would be required for plant?
I have never heard of that.