asked the Minister for Finance whether he will consider selling the buildings erected in Tuam by the Corrib drainage section of the Office of Public Works, rather than dismantling them when the scheme is complete.

The Commissioners of Public Works are required by the terms of their lease of the site to dismantle all structures on termination of the letting.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that it would be practically impossible for the Board of Works to carry out the terms of their agreement in this and that, considering the cost of clearing off the site and the amount of stuff that would have to be destroyed before it was cleared off, it would be much better if the Board of Works would consider handing over the site to the owner? The Tuam Chamber of Commerce are interested in sites for building purposes——

This is developing into a speech.

There must be an election coming on.

If the Deputy got back to where he has been for the past four or five weeks we could get on. In view of the fact that the Tuam Chamber of Commerce are anxious to get building sites in the town would the Parliamentary Secretary consider making an offer of the site to the owner?

The site was leased for a period of six years and, on the expiration of the lease, it has been rented on a yearly basis and the Board of Works are committed to handing it over without the building.

I am asking that they reconsider their agreement and make an offer of the site as it stands.

I shall have the matter examined.