§ MR. JOHN O'CONNORI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has taken any steps to appoint the Commissioners to inquire into the subject of arterial drainage in Ireland; and, if so, can he now state their names and qualifications, and give the terms of their reference; also whether he has considered the advisability of introducing a Bill to give to joint local authorities in Ireland the powers of drainage boards in respect of areas affected by the overflowing of rivers running through their several jurisdictions, especially with the view of making the Irish Development Grant available as a fund in aid of operations by such boards.
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe terms of reference are under consideration, and until these have been settled the Commission cannot be appointed. Legislation will be necessary for carrying out any reforms in the existing system, but it will obviously be impracticable to introduce legislation in the present session.