asked the Minister for Finance when a scheme of drainage and other works is to commence in the Shannon catchment area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Catchment Drainage.
19.
I would refer the Deputy to the answer which I gave to a similar question from Deputies K.P. Egan and Michael Carty on 10th April 1962.
I do not know the answer given to the previous question, but may I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he is aware that the two Deputies he has mentioned recently attended a meeting in Banagher and announced to the joy of all the farmers present the approximate details of the scheme? If the Parliamentary Secretary has in his hands the scheme for the improvement of conditions in the Shannon Valley, is it not advisable that he should make an official announcement rather than that these two Deputies should go down there and announce it?
I read a report of the meeting mentioned by the Deputy and I did not see any contradictory statements made there. The answer to the previous question was that certain proposals are being considered at present and that steps would shortly be taken. That is still the position. The Deputy will be aware that over £15,000,000 of public money is concerned in this matter and it will have to receive the most careful and meticulous consideration.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary in a position to let the House know before the Summer Recess whether this drainage scheme will be initiated in the coming year or not? Is he in a position to make an announcement on it before the Dáil rises?
I could not say.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether the Fianna Fáil Deputy, who addressed the farmers in my hearing and in the hearing of Deputy McQuillan, was speaking truthfully and in accordance with the facts when he said action was to be taken on it by the Parliamentary Secretary and that the farmers in the Shannon Valley need have no further fear?
The statement attributed to Deputy Egan in the local Press was substantially correct.
He used the word "shortly". Would the Parliamentary Secretary be in the position to clarify what he meant by "shortly"?
Question No. 20.
Could we have a definition of the word "shortly"?
I have called Question No. 20.
Have we reached the position where the Parliamentary Secretary cannot give us that definition?
This could go on for ever. Question No. 20.
These smart answers will not make it any easier for the Parliamentary Secretary in his job.
I will not allow any more of this.
I think Deputy McQuillan and I should go to Mass at Shannonbridge on Sunday and we can expose the matter to these farmers.