asked the Minister for Local Government the effect the higher cost of oil will have on road building in this country.

The main effects will be to increase the cost of plant operation and of oil derived products such as tar bitumen used in road works. I am not in a position to quantify the extent of such increases.

We may take it then that the cost is definitely going up in proportion to the cost of oil? Is the Minister going to answer? Is it not going up? Is not the cost of tarmacadam now going up?

May I repeat the answer for Deputy Ahern's benefit?

The main effect will be to increase the cost of plant operation and of oil derived products such as tar bitumen used in road works. I am not in a position to quantify the extent of such increases.

Could the Minister indicate the approximate percentage increase in tar bitumen products over last year?

I have already said that I am not in a position to quantify the costs.

I accept that but could the Minister give the approximate percentage increase? If I said it was a 50 per cent increase would the Minister disagree?

The Deputy could be right and he could be wrong.

Is the Minister aware that a number of county engineers have stated at meetings of their county councils that because of increased cost the Road Fund allocations will not be sufficient——

This question refers to the cost of oil. I cannot allow a broadening of the subject matter.

May I be allowed to complete the question? Is he aware also that there is a danger that there will be a serious cutback in employment of road workers because of the increased cost and because provision was not made for this by way of increased allocations from the Road Fund?

I want to assure the House and the road workers, for whom I have much more feeling than Deputy Molloy, that under no circumstances will there be a lay-off of road workers because of increased costs and I have not received the information which Deputy Molloy claims to have got that certain engineers are making statements of this kind. I would be amazed if they did so.

It has been published in the local papers in reports of council meetings. The Minister is totally out of touch.

Question No. 11, please.