§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)asked, in reference to the introduction of the Irish Drainage Bills, for some time on the Paper, Whether the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was aware that at this moment one of the largest floods known for the last 20 years was covering the land near the river between Monasterevan and Athy; and, whether he was aware that all the small landholders would lose the whole of the potato crops, and that the other crops would be so injured by the water that they could not be used; and, whether he would take steps to bring in these Bills at an early date?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)I have already often expressed to the House my great desire to bring in these Bills at the earliest possible opportunity; but 457 I may remind the hon. Gentleman that no expedition on our part would have saved the tenants who are now suffering from the action of floods. If they were saved it would have had to be done by action taken three or four years ago.