asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the advantages which would be conferred on the persons residing in the areas concerned, he will request the E.S.B. to extend the rural electrification scheme to those areas in North Galway which have not already come within the scope of the scheme.

The selection of areas for development under the rural electrification scheme and the determination of their order of priority are matters solely for the E.S.B. I am, however, informed by the board that, with the increased rate of progress on the scheme, it is hoped that the development of all areas in North Galway still awaiting supply will be completed within the next five to six years.

May I inform the Minister that from time to time I have been approached by people from the districts of Turloughmore, Claregalway, Tuam-Dunmore area, Cortoon and Newbridge, to the effect that they are most anxious to be supplied with current? In these circumstances, will the Minister recommend to the sympathetic consideration of the E.S.B. the early extension of current to these areas?

The board are getting on with the work quicker than ever it was done before.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will indicate the rural areas in County Clare (1) which have been provided with electricity by the E.S.B. and (2) which are under consideration for early electrification.

As the information required is in the form of a tabular statement I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to have it circulated with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:—

It is not possible to state when the areas at present under consideration will be developed under the scheme.

It is expected that the Bridgetown area, in which an official canvass has recently been carried out, will be ready for consideration early in the new year.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what progress has been made towards the rural electrification of the Killawalla area, County Mayo, and when work is likely to commence on the scheme.

I am informed by the E.S.B. that the Killawalla area has been considered by the board on a number of occasions for development under the rural electrification scheme but has not so far been selected. The area will be considered again in due course, but I am not in a position to state when development is likely to take place.