asked the Minister for Local Government if he will indicate the progress, if any, which has been made in connection with negotiations between his Department and Mayo County Council regarding proposals for the construction or improvement of bridges or culverts on main or county roads, in so far as such works are required for land drainage schemes under the Land Project.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Land Project Schemes.
20.
There have been no negotiations between my Department and the Mayo County Council in relation to the carrying out of operations under the Land Project. As I have already informed the Deputy in reply to his earlier questions, I understand that this matter has been the subject of correspondence between the Department of Agriculture and the county council.
May I ask the Minister if he has any means at all in his power of bringing these dictatorial autocrats in Mayo to their senses and ensuring that in future, their activities will be brought into line with those of similar officials in other counties in connection with this matter? Can the Minister do anything at all about it? This is the only county in which this thing happens.
I have not full details as to what the row is about, if a row does exist. Let us call it a difference of opinion. From what little I do know about it, I would not have the powers to bring to heel any allegedly dictatorial people in Mayo or any other place in this matter. I believe that the difference of opinion is coming to an end, in other words, that the difference of opinion, while not yet ironed out, is in course of being ironed out between the Department of Agriculture and the county council.