§ MR. TOTTENHAMasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether it is the intention of the Commissioners of Public Works to proceed at once to insert the flood sluices in the Jamestown weir, which form a portion of the works authorised to be done in connection with the Shannon improvements, in order to prevent the losses caused by the annually recurring inundations of the river; and, whether, in the event of its being found impossible to proceed with the permanent works on this weir this season, they will make any arrangement by which the level of the river above may be tempo- 638 rarily lowered pending the execution of the works?
§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISHSir, the plans for the insertion of flood sluices in all the weirs on the Shannon have been completed, and tenders are now about to be invited for the execution of the works; but it is necessary that the operations should be carried out consecutively, commencing with the lower levels, and, therefore, the insertion of sluices in Jamestown Weir, which is the highest on the river, cannot be at once undertaken. With regard to a temporary lowering of the waters pending the execution of the works, there are no arrangements which can legally be made which would effect that object.