§ MR. J. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the local body charged with the duty is not regularly dredging the precipitation basin of the Lower Bann below the weir at Toomebridge in county Antrim, with the result that the watercourse is partially obstructed and that the floods are higher and last longer than they otherwise would; and whether pressure will be brought, to bear on the local body to discharge its duties in this respect.
§ MR. CHERRYSo far as the information in possession of the Irish Government goes, the weir basin in question is regularly dredged by the trustees of the Lough Neagh drainage district. It was stated last year that during the preceding ten years an average of over £300 per annum had been expended in dredging and the maintenance of the plant. If, however, any person interested is not satisfied that the works of the drainage district are properly maintained, he should address the trustees in the matter, and if still not satisfied, he should apply to the Commissioners of Public Works.