The Parliamentary Secretary has concluded on this Vote.
Committee on Finance. - Vote 8—Office of Public Works (Resumed).
I want to make it clear to the House that the motion in my name to refer back has not been moved for the purpose of obstructing drainage, but rather to secure more straightforward administration in the Office of Public Works.
The Deputy is now referring to Vote No. 9.
Am I to understand that the Parliamentary Secretary has concluded on Vote No. 8?
Yes.
May I ask what progress has been made in regard to the provision of shelters in the Phoenix Park to which the Parliamentary Secretary referred? I have been interested in this question for a number of years and have not seen any practical results so far.
If the Deputy was so interested in it he should have come into the House when I was replying. I replied to the question which was asked by Deputy Alfred Byrne who, when speaking yesterday, made reference to the promise that I made some five years ago to the late Deputy A. Byrne, Junior, when approached by him on this matter. I want to say that I have gone a certain distance in the matter of that promise, and that I will try to see what can be done in the near future, because I fully realise, in regard to the games which are played there, G.A.A. as well as others, that something should be done.
May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if any start has yet been made on this?
What start was made in the last three years?
There is no use in bringing in that sort of talk. I have asked the Parliamentary Secretary a courteous question as to whether any start has yet been made.
No.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary indicate if any progress has been made in regard to a survey of the Cahore and Kilmore scheduled drainage schemes? A promise was made in this House two years ago by the Parliamentary Secretary's predecessor in regard to the carrying out of this survey. The House was informed that the survey had been authorised. Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if it will be undertaken in the near future?
It will be undertaken as soon as I can get the necessary engineers to do it.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary not some engineers there at the moment?
No, but I expect it to be prepared this year.
Vote put and agreed to.