asked the Minister for Finance when he proposed to proceed with the drainage of the Dromore river in County Monaghan.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage of Dromore River.
It has been decided to consider the drainage of the Dromore river in connection with a scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, for the River Erne catchment area in which it lies. An engineering survey of that catchment has recently commenced.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say with any degree of precision when it is likely that the Dromore river itself will be dealt with? There is in the Parliamentary Secretary's office an interim scheme to relieve the immediate urgency of the Dromore area. Is it proposed to proceed with that pending the preparation of a comprehensive scheme for the Erne catchment area?
That is not a catchment scheme and the Commissioners of Public Works have no authority to proceed other than in a catchment area scheme.
I think the Parliamentary Secretary has a report of an interim scheme to deal with the Dromore river either through the medium of a special grant or through the medium of funds of the Minister for Agriculture. Is it proposed to do anything now in regard to that interim scheme or can the Parliamentary Secretary give me any indication of the date on which the Dromore situation can be dealt with?
I am afraid I cannot. The engineering survey of the Erne catchment area as a whole began last month and it will take not less than three years to complete. No piecemeal scheme with regard to the area may be undertaken by the Commissioners of Public Works under the authority by which they operate. The scheme in which the Deputy is interested may be one which would concern the Department of Agriculture and I would refer him to the Minister for Agriculture for a decision on the matter.
If I put down a question to the Minister for Agriculture can I assume that the Minister will be required to answer it?
That is surely a separate question from that on the Order Paper.
I asked the Parliamentary Secretary because I do not think the office would allow me to ask the Minister for Agriculture. Have I your assurance, Sir, that if I put a question to the Minister for Agriculture he will answer it?
The Deputy should try it.
Are we to understand that the Chair has the power to order a Minister to answer a question?
He has. They are passing the buck from one to the other.