§ MR. O'DOWDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, owing to the negligence of the Lough Gara and Mantua Drainage Board, whose area of operation comprises the district of Killaraght, situated near Boyle, County Roscommon, the crops of many of the farmers residing within this area are being periodically destroyed by floods; and, if so, whether, seeing that this Board has been in existence for forty years, during which period no effort has been made by them to keep the main drains, which empty into the lake, in order, the consequence being the destruction, in wet seasons, of the crops of the people who are heavily taxed for the maintenance of this Board, an inspector will be sent down to have the whole matter inquired into.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. J. A. PEASE,) Essex, Saffron WaldenI am informed by the Board of Works that only a portion of the Killaraght district is situated within the Lough Gara and Mantua Drainage district. No complaint of flooding of the district of Killaraght, near Boyle, in consequence of the neglect of the trustees of the drainage district, has been received by the Board, and consequently the Board are unable to say whether the area in which it is stated flooding has taken place, is within the jurisdiction of the trustees. The Lough Gara and Mantua Drainage district was constituted in 1858, but the 351 present Board of Trustees was elected in 1906, and the Commissioners of Public Works have no reason to suppose that they are neglecting their duty in maintaining the district.
§ MR. O'DOWDIs it not the fact that for the last forty years nothing has been done either in Sligo or Roscommon to improve matters?
§ MR. J. A. PEASEUp to the present the Board have received no complaint. The matter should be brought to their attention.
§ MR. O'DOWDI want an inspector sent down.