§ Mr. FRANCIS MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that an application was made to the Congested Districts Board for a Grant-in-Aid of the making of a new road from the townland of Aughnahoo to the townland of Curraghy, in the county of Leitrim, which, if made, would have the effect of opening up the congested district between the towns of Drumshambo, Ballinamore, Keshcarrigan, Leitrim, and Carrick-on-Shannon, and thus accommodating at least 400 families residing in these backward districts, some of whom are compelled to carry on their backs all their marketable farm produce and necessary household goods for a distance of one mile to and from the county road; whether he is aware that the Drumshambo (No. 1) Rural District Council passed this road in January last on condition that the Congested Districts Board would contribute one-half the cost of making it; and, as the road would be beneficial and reproductive and as county Leitrim has not yet received any Grant from the new Congested Districts Board, whether he would, in the interest of the poor people struggling to eke out an existence in these districts and for the public convenience, recommend this application to the favourable consideration of the Congested Districts Board?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe application in question has been received by the Congested 1942 Districts Board. I understand that the Carrick-on-Shannon Rural District Council have sanctioned the construction of this road conditional upon the receipt of a sufficient contribution from the Congested Districts Board. The Board will consider the application when dealing with estates situated in the neighbourhood.