asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when a statement may be expected from Córas Iompair Éireann concerning the experimental work carried out by them on the burning of native fuel in locomotives.

As indicated in reply to a question by the Deputy in Dáil Éireann on 6th March, the experimental work is progressing satisfactorily and I have been assured by Córas Iompair Éireann that the work is being pressed forward energetically. The problem is, however, a comp licated one and it is not yet possible to say when a stage of development will be reached which will permit the issue of a statement.