§ MR. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether he has received any report from the Board of Works in Ireland with regard to the damage done by the Mulcan drainage works to the lands bordering that river; and, whether in particular the local board have made any report on the subject?
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSONSir, the Memorial which the hon. and learned Member forwarded to me from the farmers of the district was forwarded to the Board of Works, and a Report has been received, in which the Board states that, so far as it is aware, the drainage works have not proved such a failure as is represented. But as the Board is not responsible either for the construction of the works, or their maintenance, the information in its possession is not sufficient to enable it to pronounce a decided opinion. But, whatever the condition of the works, the Government is not, as I understand, responsible for them. The responsibility attaches to the local drainage board.