asked the Minister for Finance if he will state when it is proposed to proceed with the erection of Coláiste na Mumhan in Baile Mhuirne, and whether he will stipulate in the building contract that local labour be employed as far as possible.

It is not probable that work can begin on this building before the autumn. As regards the employment of local labour, subject to the regulations under which preference is given in Government contracts to the employment of ex-National Army men, contractors usually find it convenient to employ local unskilled labour and such efficient local skilled labour as may be available. There is no reason to anticipate a departure from such a course in the present case, but the Commissioners cannot bind a contractor to employ purely local labour.