asked the Minister for Finance when the Government offices in Castlebar, County Mayo, and Athlone, County Westmeath, will be officially opened.

Work on the erection of the new Government offices at Castlebar and Athlone is proceeding satisfactorily but it is yet too early to consider dates for official openings.

41.

asked the Minister for Finance why the entire Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has not been housed in the new building at Kildare Place, Dublin.

During the construction of the building in Kildare Place, now known as Agriculture House, sufficient space was earmarked for all the headquarters staff of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries as it then was. The balance of the space in the building was reserved for other services. Since occupancy of the building commenced the Department has expanded to a degree which justifies the allocation to it of the entire building and the question of obtaining alternative space for the other services there is at present being pursued.

Pending detailed examination of the Department's projected accommodation requirements, it is not possible to say if the original intention to house all of the headquarters staff in Agriculture House can be realised.