asked the Minister for Transport and Power when dredging of the channel in Sligo Harbour will be carried out.

, Cavan): Dredging of the channel in Sligo Harbour is, under the provisions of the Harbours Act, 1946, the responsibility of the Sligo Harbour Commissioners. The commissioners got a State grant of £44,000 in 1969/71 for the purchase of dredging equipment to enable them to meet the dredging requirements of the port.

Can the Minister say when dredging was last carried out in Sligo harbour?

(Cavan): I cannot say offhand but, as I say, the machinery or equipment necessary to dredge the harbour was presumably purchased between 1969 and 1971 under a State grant of £44,000.

I know all about that, but can the Minister say why the machinery that was purchased then has not been used for some years now?

(Cavan): No.

Is the Minister aware that there are no finances there, or has his Department been consulted to give financial assistance towards this problem?

(Cavan): While there have been suggestions that finance is needed, there is no proposal from Sligo Harbour Commissioners before my Department requesting finance or assistance.

Can the Minister say then what proposals are before his Department for financial assistance?

(Cavan): There are no proposals.

None at all?

(Cavan): No.

That is totally contrary to what the Minister himself said publicly in Sligo, and he was taking a tour of the harbour, looking at the condition of the road——

That is not a question, Deputy.

The machinery has been lying idle for two years because the Department did not give any money. What is good enough down there is not good enough up here.

(Cavan): There is no good in the Deputy introducing inaccuracies——

I was there listening to him.

(Cavan): ——and trying to misrepresent the situation. On the occasion of a visit to Sligo as the guest of the chamber of commerce, I was taken on a tour of the harbour and while there is no record of what I said, I am certain what I did say was that any proposals put before my Department would be processed as quickly as possible. If the harbour commissioners put specific proposals before my Department seeking assistance those proposals will be assessed and adjudicated without delay.