asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he will recommend to the ESB that preparatory work on the proposed extension to Shannonbridge power station start as soon as possible, in order to provide employment for local people.

I am informed by the ESB that they have already commenced work on the design of the extension of the Shannonbridge power station and specifications for the main items of plant will be issued within the next few weeks. Initial site clearance work is expected to commence this summer and the main site development work in mid-1979.