asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the urgent need for the extension of the rural electrification scheme to the areas of Killaloe, O'Brien's Bridge, Clonlara and Bridgetown in County Clare, he will state if it is the intention of the E.S.B. to take steps to provide these areas with electric current in the near future; and, if so, on what date the work is likely to be commenced.

I am informed by the E.S.B. that they hope to begin in the near future a canvass of the residents of Clonlara area which, for the purposes of the rural electrification scheme, will include Bridgetown, O'Brien's Bridge and the neighbourhood of Killaloe. It is not possible, at this stage, to say when the electrical development of the area is likely to take place.