§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the areas in Ireland recently submerged in water owing to the neglect of arterial drainage; whether any of the inspectors in the country on behalf of various departments have been asked to report on the damage to land and other property and to health from this flooding; whether he has got any estimate of the probable cost of a full and efficient system of drainage; and whether this Parliament will be asked to make any provision for dealing with this matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am aware that large areas in Ireland, as well as elsewhere, have suffered from the floods occasioned by the very exceptional rainfall of this winter. It would be extremely difficult to arrive at the total loss caused by the floods, and no general report on the subject has been called for. To obtain an estimate of the cost of carrying out useful works of arterial drainage in Ireland would necessitate a survey by a staff of engineers and land valuers which would occupy several years and cost a very large sum. The answer to the last paragraph is in the negative.