asked the Minister for Local Government the number of group water schemes in County Meath which (a) have been completed, (b) are in progress, (c) are being considered by the Department and (d) have been abandoned.

Eight schemes have been completed; five are in progress; twenty are being examined and one hundred tentative proposals have been abandoned after investigation.

The Minister is aware that I asked an almost similar question a few weeks ago? I thank him for letting me have the reply but I regret that it was necessary for me to put down another question in order to get it.

I am not so aware.

25.

asked the Minister for Local Government the reasons for the delay in the sanction of the water augmentation scheme for Glanmire and Little Island, County Cork.

Approval was given on 6th May, 1969, to the contract documents for Stage 1 of this scheme.

26.

asked the Minister for Local Government if Dublin County Council will extend the existing water and sewerage facilities in the Newcastle area to provide for large-scale housing development in this area.

Dublin County Council are aware of my anxiety that they should provide, as early as possible, water and sewerage facilities in all development areas within their district so as to enable housing development to take place on an adequate scale.

In view of the fact that there is such a shortage of development land in this area and that this is the type of land that is open to development and is easily developed, would the Minister ever consider requesting the county council to go ahead with plans immediately to service this area with sewerage facilities?

"Ever" is the word.

I agree that this should be treated with urgency, but what can one expect when a local authority spend an entire meeting drafting my election address for me.

What can one expect from a Minister who will not allow local authority houses to be built?

The money is not there.

If the chairman of the county council would allow the council to do a little bit of county council business instead of drafting my election address, they would be doing better work.