§ MR. DUFFY (Galway, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that serious and increasing injury is being done to tenant purchasers whose holdings lie alongside the small rivers and watercourses of Ireland by reason of the fact that the rivers are choked with weeds and invading the neighbouring lands; and whether the Government will bring the matter under the notice of the Estates Commissioners in order to see if anything can be done to provide against such flooding in the future.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) In districts not under the control of a drainage board the cleansing of small watercourses would seem to be a matter for voluntary co-operation on the part of tenant purchasers. I am not aware that the Estates Commissioners have any powers in the matter, but I will consult them on the subject.