§ 25. Sir WALTER NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary if he has received resolutions from the local public boards in Athlone and county Westmeath dealing with the distress created by the Shannon floods; and whether, in view of the fact that this state of things is periodically recurring, he will appoint a small Commission to report on the whole matter and suggest what steps should be taken to deal with the same?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have received several resolutions on the subject. The question was fully dealt with by the Royal Commission on Irish public works in 1887 and no useful purpose would be served by the appointment of a small commission. The difficulty is mainly one of finance, but the rival claims of drainage and nagivation have also to be considered.