asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that the Donegal County Council has expressed its willingness to make a substantial contribution towards the cost of the works proposed to be carried out at the Pier and Harbour of Portnablagh, County Donegal; and whether, having regard to the fact that those works are much in excess of anything required for ordinary maintenance or repair, he is now willing to sanction a grant of public money for this purpose.

In reply to another question on this subject on the 30th October, I stated that I was unable to agree to make a grant towards the erection of a new break-water at Portnablagh. I was then aware of the attitude of the county council and of the fact that the works proposed were in excess of those necessary for ordinary maintenance or repair. No developments have since taken place in the matter which I could regard as justifying a modification of the decision already arrived at.

I would like to know from the Minister if he has in mind the promise made by one of the officials in the Fishery Department to the Donegal County Council that if they contributed towards the construction or repair of Portnablagh pier the Department would give a contribution?

I think the Deputy addressed a question in those terms before to the Minister for Finance, and suggested that a promise was made. I have gone carefully through the files in my Department to ascertain if any such promise was made, and I could find no trace of it.

Does the Minister say that no such promise was made?

As far as I know, there was not.