asked the Minister for Finance if he can state when it is intended to give effect to the recommendation of the Drainage Commission that a nationally controlled and financed scheme of arterial drainage be put into operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Arterial Drainage Scheme.
As I have already intimated in reply to previous questions by Deputies on the subject of arterial drainage, the recommendations of the Drainage Commission have been accepted in principle by the Government. The preparation of legislation directed to giving effect to those recommendations is already far advanced and every effort is being made to press forward its introduction.
Might I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if, in view of the serious situation which has developed in the Barrow drainage area, immediate steps will be taken to expedite this legislation in order to save these people from penalisation?
I do not want to make any forecast, but I wish to assure the House and the Deputy that everything is being done to press forward this legislation.
Would it be possible for the Parliamentary Secretary or any member of the Government to consider staying proceedings against the farmers in the Barrow drainage district pending the new legislation?
We have no responsibility whatever in the matter.