asked the Minister for Finance whether he has received representations from the Ballybay Town Commissioners to the effect that the Dromore drainage scheme is urgently necessary to remedy the recurrent flooding in that area; and what steps he proposes to take to relieve the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dromore Drainage.
The Commissioners of Public Works have received a copy of a resolution passed by the Ballybay Town Commissioners relative to a proposed scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925, for the Dromore area. The position is that the investigations which have been made by the Commissioners of Public Works under the Act into the question of a drainage scheme for this district go to show that the proposal would not, owing to the technical and financial considerations involved, be a suitable subject for treatment under present legislation. The Town Commissioners are being informed accordingly and that pending the advent of any new legislation which may result from the deliberations of the Drainage Commission it would not be practicable for the Commissioners of Public Works to take any effective steps towards the improvement of the drainage in this area.
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, in view of the fact that he has, or had, an inter-Departmental committee sitting to advise him as to desirable forms of unemployment relief schemes, will he consider having some special enquiry made by his own engineers in this area to ascertain whether a useful scheme might not be adumbrated there which would relieve drainage, and at the same time provide a suitable means of dispensing unemployment relief funds.
I am sorry I have nothing to add.
Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary would consult his colleague, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, who might be able to give him some further information over and above that which I have attempted to impart to him.
My custom in this House is to give, in my first reply, the fullest and the most helpful information that I possibly can. I am not able to add anything more helpful to that reply.