asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the cause of the delay by the Commissioners of Public Works in carrying out the drainage schemes adopted by the Westmeath County Council early in 1926; and when it is intended to proceed with the work in Tyrrellspass and Rochfortbridge, Westmeath, in view of the large number of persons unemployed in these districts.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - WESTMEATH DRAINAGE SCHEMES.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
In view of the large number of petitions lodged under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925, there has been no avoidable delay on the part of the Commissioners of Public Works in investigating the thirteen petitions received from the Westmeath County Council. Preliminary engineering reports have already been received regarding seven of these thirteen schemes. In two instances preparations are being made to have the schemes submitted to the occupiers of land concerned as required by Section 6 of the Act.
As regards the Rochfortbridge and Tyrrellspass petition the preliminary engineering inquiry has been made, and the Valuer's report has also been furnished and is at present under consideration. It will not be possible, however, to start work early on this scheme because, even if it should appear a promising one from the economic standpoint, detailed engineering inspections and surveys will be necessary so that a complete proposal as regards works and cost can be prepared for submission, after due notice, to the occupiers of the lands to be benefited. This survey cannot be made in flood conditions.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary give the names of the seven schemes in connection with which preliminary engineering reports have been received?
Paddenstown, Riverstown River, Clonwhelan, Streets, Moate, Rosemount and Ballinabanna, Rochfortbridge.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say when the two schemes at Tyrrellspass and Rochfortbridge are likely to be carried out? There are more than a hundred men idle in that district.
That will depend, in the first instance, on the owners of the land, who will vote as to whether the scheme will be gone on with or not. If they do not vote in favour of paying the drainage rate involved in the carrying out of the scheme, well then it simply will not be carried out at all.