asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that the Mayo County Council have complied with the conditions set forth in the communication to them from the Board of Works, dated 27th April, 1928, relative to the Robe drainage; whether the necessary grant to enable the drainage works to be begun has been sanctioned; and whether he will state when it is proposed to commence drainage operations in the Robe district.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ROBE DRAINAGE (MAYO).
Mr. BOURKE
The letter of the 27th April from the Commissioners of Public Works to the Mayo County Council did not contain any conditions relative to drainage schemes in that county. It presented merely a rough general idea of the financial aspect of the proposals for the drainage of the rivers Robe and Moy, with their tributaries, and stated that until further inspections and surveys were carried out exact estimates could not be made. As the Council are prepared to contribute towards the cost of a drainage scheme for the River Robe, it will be necessary for them and the Galway County Council to forward to the Commissioners petitions in respect of that part of the scheme included in the existing Lough Mask and River Robe Drainage District, and for which a petition has not yet been received from either County Council. Meanwhile arrangements will be made to have the petitioned areas surveyed and valued. It will not be possible in any event to commence drainage operations in the district during the present year.
Is the Minister aware that the communication referred to asked the County Council if they were willing to give a guarantee of £136 per year, and that the County Council have agreed to give such guarantee? What does the Minister mean by stating that the letter did not contain such a statement?
Mr. BOURKE
I am aware that the County Council have agreed to contribute, but the ordinary procedure has not been complied with, that of all the petitioners who are rated occupiers petitioning the County Council. After that it comes up to us. It is a mere formality that has to be complied with, and you will find that the secretary of the Co. Council knows all about it.