asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state whether he is prepared to give the necessary approval for the new water scheme for Fermoy urban district; and, if so, when he proposes to do so.

Preliminary proposals for the improvement of the Fermoy water supply were submitted to my Department in September, 1950. Observations arising out of an examination thereof were conveyed to the urban district council in the following December. No reply on the points raised has yet been received.

Is the Minister aware that a letter from his Department was read at a recent meeting of the Fermoy Urban Council stating that no proposals had been made by the urban council for a new water scheme for Fermoy?

The Deputy perhaps did not hear my reply.