asked the Minister for Finance if negotiations have been entered into with the Government of Northern Ireland with a view to the two Governments co-operating in the preparation of a scheme of drainage which will permanently relieve from flooding the lands along the River Erne, in the Saorstát, and the Upper and Lower Loughs Erne, in Northern Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flooding Along the River Erne.
The Commissioners of Public Works have been in consultation with the Northern Ireland authorities relative to a drainage scheme for the existing Lough and River Erne drainage district. They intend to communicate with them also in connection with the drainage scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925, for lands south of Belturbet.
In view of the fact that I asked a similar question fourteen days ago, will the Parliamentary Secretary say if he has since made any representations to the Northern Government and with what result?
Mr. Bourke
We have been in consultation with them all along.
Has there been any consultation since I asked the question a fortnight ago, and, if so, what has been the result?
Mr. Bourke
Consultation has been going on all the time.
That is not an answer to the question. Has there been any correspondence with them during the last fourteen days?
Mr. Bourke
That is another question.
It is relevant to the question on the Order Paper.
Mr. Bourke
We have been in consultation, but I am not able to give the date at which correspondence took place.
Are we to assume that there has been no correspondence at all with the Northern Government?