asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the tourist attraction of the area, he will provide finance for the construction of a scenic mountain road from the Nire Valley, Ballymacarbery, County Tipperary over the Comeragh mountains.

A proposal by the Waterford County Council to construct a new road across the Comeragh Mountains with the aid of a contribution under the Amenity Grants Scheme was rejected in March 1966 on the ground that the proposed works did not come within the ambit of the scheme. As the track at present crossing the mountains is not a public road, the utilisation of portion of the council's county road improvement grant for the work is not possible. I have no other finances under my control which might be considered for this proposal.

I am sure the Minister is aware of the great effort being made by the people of Ballymacarbery and the Nire Valley to attract tourists to that lovely part of Waterford. If the Minister's Department is unable to provide financial assistance for them, would he indicate if there is any other Government agency which might be tapped with some hope of success in respect of a grant for the construction of this road through one of the loveliest mountain ranges in the country?

I am sure if the efforts are, as the Deputy says, directed towards the development of the tourist industry, one body which would be very interested in this—they may already be interested in it—is Bord Fáilte.

There was provision already made for the creation of a scenic coast road in Donegal. Under this scheme very many scenic roads of special tourist attraction were entitled to special grants where the local authorities were prepared to undertake their construction.

There are special Gaeltacht grants in some of the western counties. Tourist road grants have been established and are in operation for the past 12 or 14 years. Those would be two of the sources from which money for this type of work could be obtained.

The Nire Valley is not in the Gaeltacht.

Could we hope for a favourable recommendation from the Minister to Bord Fáilte for a grant towards this much needed work?

I am afraid that in regard to the tourist potential and the value of money in a particular area, the recommendation of the Minister for Local Government would not carry weight with Bord Fáilte.

Has Deputy Burke any money in his collection fund?

Half a million shillings.

He can get some from the pool in Parnell Square.

I would remind Deputies that there are 58 questions on today's Order Paper which have to be answered.