§ MR. A. MOOREasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether it is a fact that the new embankments of the River Mulcair have recently given way, thereby causing damage and loss to the people of the district; whether these works have been finally passed by the engineers of the Board of Works; and, whether, in view of the great expense incurred and the heavy liability undertaken by the district, he will cause an 1581 inquiry to be made as to whether the river has been sufficiently deepened and the other works efficiently carried out?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERSir, I have to answer the first two parts of the Question of the hon. Gentleman in the affirmative, though I am glad to be able to add that the Report of the engineer shows that the rumour as to the damage caused has been exaggerated. As to the last part of the Question, the hon. Gentleman is probably aware that the Drainage Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1864, is carried out by the local drainage board on their own reponsibility, subject to the supervision of the Board of Works. In this case due inquiry was held, and the engineer of the Board reports that the unprecedented flood caused damage; but I have referred the matter back for an expression of his opinion as to the other points which the hon. Gentleman refers to.