§ MR. JOHN O'CONNORI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Vice-Regal Commission on Arterial Drainage (Ireland) (1905–7) have confirmed the Report of the Allport Commission (1887) that the basin of the Upper Barrow suffered more from floods than any other part of, Ireland; is he aware that they also find that smaller sums than those hitherto estimated might be expended on that river with advantage, provided that they were devoted to the purpose of specific works forming part of a general and comprehensive scheme of improvement (page 9); and is anything being done to prepare a comprehensive scheme of drainage of the Barrow river basin or for such specific works on a smaller scale as are recommended by the said Commission.
§ MR. BIRRELLI have been asked to receive a deputation on the subject of the Barrow drainage in the course of the autumn, and have signified my willingness to discuss the matter with the influential committee which desires to put its views before the Government. In the meantime, I am afraid that I cannot with advantage add anything to my previous Answers on the subject.