§ Mr. O'DOWDasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, owing to the periodic floodings of Lough Arrow, 1,100 acres of land, situated in Boyle No. 2 district, South Sligo, are rendered unprofitable, if not absolutely useless, annually; and, if so, whether, as the matter affects the holders of 150 uneconomic farms situate in a congested district, the Congested Districts Board will take it in hand with the view of having a drainage scheme started?
§ Mr. BIRRELLShould the Congested Districts Board acquire estates affected by the overflow of this lake they would be willing to prepare a drainage scheme provided that the occupiers of the lands agreed 1698 to pay the cost of the works or to contribute a reasonable portion of it, and formed a legally constituted board for the maintenance of the drainage system. The Board would not undertake the preparation of a drainage scheme unless they became the owners of a substantial part of the flooded lands.