§ MR. DONAL SULLIVAN (Westmeath, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the drainage from all the public institutions in Mullingar and vicinity, including the military barracks and lunatic asylum, is at present emptied into the river Brosna, which flows through the town, the odour from which is dangerous to the health of the inhabi- 449 tants; that within a mile and a half of the town the river discharges itself into Lough Ennel, one of the best trout lakes in Ireland; and that dead trout are frequently found floating on the water at the point where the river enters the lake, poisoned by the water from the river; and will the Local Government Board take steps to enforce the Rivers Pollution Act so that the nuisance may be abated.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (MR. ATKINSON,) (for MR. G. W. BALFOUR) Londonderry, N.In September last the Medical Officer of Health reported that the sewers of the town of Mullingar, including the sewage from the public institutions mentioned in the question, ran into the river Brosna and polluted it. The Local Government Board, on receipt of this Report, requested the rural district council to give the matter their early consideration with a view of improving the drainage of the town. No definite action has yet been taken by the council upon the communication addressed to them by the Board. This objectionable drainage system is, I understand, of long standing, and the Board will cause the matter to be further looked into.