asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware of the anxiety of the people of Valentia Island concerning their application for the erection of a bridge connecting the island and the mainland, and if he is now in a position to sanction the allocation of a grant for the purpose.

While I share the anxiety of the interested parties to have a decision on this matter reached as soon as possible, I should like to point out that the final technical recommendations have become available only within the past fortnight. I shall, therefore, require a further reasonable period to consider fully the important administrative and financial issues involved. There will be no avoidable delay in announcing my findings.