asked the Minister for Finance whether he has received any representations from the Lough Gara and Mantua Drainage Board with reference to the proposed drainage works in their area of jurisdiction, and, if so, whether he proposes to act on their suggestion.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lough Gara and Mantua Drainage Board Representations.
The representations from the Lough Gara and Mantua Drainage Trustees with reference to the proposed drainage works in that area have been received. As the Deputy has already been informed, a suggestion for an extension of the works originally proposed is being examined by the engineers of the Commissioners of Public Works, and as soon as their report is to hand, a decision as to the ultimate scope of the scheme will be reached. In the circumstances it is not possible at this stage to state whether or not the recommendation of the Trustees will be accepted.
Arising out of the Minister's reply I want to ask does the Minister realise that the supplementary proposal submitted to him will involve not only a rearrangement of this scheme but a rearrangement of the undertaking given by the interested county councils and a reconsideration of the cost of the entire scheme? I want to ask the Minister if he will therefore reconsider the recommendations of the trustees that the scheme in its original form should go forward and that any additional work needed should be done by way of a supplementary scheme?
If the Deputy wants information of that sort it is not by way of supplementary question he will get it. If he puts down a question he will have a reply.
I presumed it was unnecessary to fill a half sheet of the Order Paper when the simple explanation could be put into a word of one syllable?
It is an Irishman's privilege to answer one question by asking another, and I want to ask the Deputy why then should he fill the official report with what he is afraid to put on the Order Paper?