asked the Minister for Defence in regard to the proposed building of new runways at Baldonnel for military planes, including jet planes, if he is yet in a position to state the labour content of such work and the duration of this work.

As I indicated last week in reply to a previous question by the Deputy, it is not practicable to state the number of men who will be employed on the building of the runways. This is primarily a matter for the contractor who will be appointed to do the work. Much will depend on the extent to which the contractor uses mechanical plant and the extent to which he prepares his own concrete aggregates. Apart from the labour employed on the site, labour will also be employed elsewhere on the production of sand and gravel, drainage pipes, cement, paper bags, etc.

The work is expected to occupy between two and two and a half years from the date of commencement.

In view of the fact that there is such an extensive runway at Collinstown, has the Minister's Department investigated the possibility of having this new runway convenient to the City of Cork, or somewhere in the southern tip of the country?

That is a separate question.

Will the Minister have that matter looked into?

It is not within my province. I am dealing with the military property which we already possess.

I am dealing with the defence question of the country.

The question is in respect of runways at Baldonnel.

I am asking the Minister if he will have the question investigated?

We can have it investigated, but it is another matter.