asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether his Department has declined to approve of the proposals as to the prices arranged to be paid to the owners by the Clare County Board of Health for the purchase of lands for building cottages at Clare Castle, Ennis, Ennistymon and Killaloe, and if so, why; and whether in view of the fact that the erection of labourers' cottages in these areas cannot be proceeded with pending his approval, he will reconsider the matter and sanction the proposals of the board of health without delay.

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I consider the prices proposed to be paid for the lands referred to, which range from £80 to £133 per acre, are altogether too high for land for the building of labourers' cottages, and I have advised the Clare Board of Health and Public Assistance to exercise the compulsory powers conferred on them by the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1932, if they are unable to obtain suitable sites for labourers' cottages at reasonable prices. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Is the Vice-President aware that the Clare Board of Health have refused to exercise their compulsory powers?

I have heard that, but I have not got that information officially.

Arising out of the Vice-President's reply, while admitting that the prices named seem to be excessive, that these prices are in fact excessive, why does he not take a similar view about the price paid by the Roscommon Country Council in respect of a site for the country hospital, or are we to assume that the Vice-President considers that a higher price may be paid for a site for a county hospital than for site for labourers' cottages?

That question does not arise.