asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that the British Military Authorities were bound under agreement to pay the Cork Rural District Council an annual contribution of £200 in respect of the water supply to the Ballincollig Barracks; that it was principally for the use of the troops in those barracks that the waterworks were constructed; whether there was a legal transfer in this and similar cases from the British to the Saorstát Government during the past year, and if he will state whether the Government is now prepared to discharge the responsibility it incurred in so doing in the immediate future by paying this £200 to the Cork Rural District Council.

It has now been decided to assume responsibility for the contribution referred to, until such time as fresh arrangements provided for in the original agreement, can be made. A first payment will be made to the Cork Rural District Council forthwith.