asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the position with regard to the jetty which was under construction at Haulbowline, work on which has ceased for the past two months, and if he will take immediate steps to have work on this vital berthage for oil tankers recommenced at once in the interests of Cobh and the nation.

Approximately one-third of the contract for the construction of the jetty referred to had been completed when work was suspended by the contractors pending consideration of representations made by them regarding the site conditions and a decision on alternative proposals submitted by them for the completion of the work. The contractors' proposals are under examination.