asked the Minister for Finance if he had now got a reply from the Government of Northern Ireland to his letters with reference to the Lough and River Erne Drainage Schemes; and if he will also state (1) if the necessary notification of the proposed drainage charges had been sent to the individual farmers in Co. Cavan, who will benefit by the River Erne Drainage Scheme, as sanctioned by the Cavan County Council; and (2) if the requisite number of farmers agree to the scheme, will the work be commenced before June, 1932.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erne Drainage Schemes.
Mr. Bourke
The Commissioners of Public Works have received an interim reply requesting detailed particulars about the scheme from the Government of Northern Ireland relative to the River Erne proposed Drainage District. The Commissioners will continue their correspondence with the Northern Ireland authorities and will in the meantime proceed with the preparations for the exhibition of the drainage scheme for the votes of the occupiers concerned. It will be several months more before the heavy task of preparing this scheme for exhibition can be completed and the notices issued to the occupiers concerned. Because of the lengthy procedure yet to be gone through, which will be dealt with as expeditiously as possible by the Commissioners, it is extremely difficult to arrange for the actual work to be commenced next summer.
The Commissioners are in communication with the Northern Ireland authorities in connection with the Lough Erne scheme also, but no definite decision has been reached.