asked the Minister for Local Government when a new bridge crossing the Glenamoy river, County Mayo will be erected, as a bridge is essential for children attending school in the area.

Plans submitted by the Mayo County Council for the construction of a new bridge, capable of taking vehicular traffic across the Glenamoy River at Glenamoy, were approved by my Department in July, 1963. I understand that difficulties associated with shortage of engineering staff have delayed the execution of the work by the council.

While I did not hear the Parliamentary Secretary's reply too clearly, I did gather that he said there was some form of sanction as far back as 1963. This is 1966. Would the Parliamentary Secretary see to it that some action is taken as soon as possible because there is a serious danger of school children being lost some day in the floods at Glenamoy? Surely we should not have to wait three years for this bridge and make the excuse that engineers are scarce?

I said plans were approved by the Department in July, 1963. The difficulty associated with a shortage of engineering staff is responsible for the holdup in relation to this bridge. I understand there were four bridges in the original proposal and three of them have been completed. The county engineer expects to be able to start on this one very shortly.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary be more specific about the date on which it will start?

I could not. I suggest the Deputy raise it at the next meeting of the county council.

It is not a shortage of engineers but a shortage of money. You have not the price of a wheelbarrow.