asked the Minister for the Public Service if he intends to transfer any Government Department to Galway; if so, the Department concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

168.

asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will consider Galway as a location for a Government Department.

I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.

Galway is one of the places which will be borne in mind as a suitable location for Government offices whenever consideration is being given to the possibility of transferring Government offices from Dublin.

When does the Minister feel that the transfer of Government offices to the centres already chosen will take place?

That is a separate question.

A building at one location is in course of erection at present. From the information in my brief I am not in a position to say when it will be completed.

Can the Minister say if Government offices will be transferred to places other than Galway—to Sligo, for example?

We are keeping an open mind.

We will all be old men before it happens.

Is there any significance in the fact that when a favourable answer is coming to a question put down to the Minister or the Parliamentary Secretary it is always matched by one from his own party?

That does not arise.

Sin ceist eile.