asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he will state, in relation to the proposed dredging of Sligo Harbour, the estimated total cost of the operation and how this figure will be divided as between (a) State grant and (b) local contribution, if any; the approximate timescale of dredging operations; and if it is likely that they will be completed before the winter sets in.

: The proposals of Sligo Harbour Commissioners, which are still under consideration, provide for a full-cost State grant of £18,000. They do not envisage any local contribution. The Commissioners estimate that the work would take three months by contractors' drag-line crane and six months with their own dredger. It is unlikely therefore that the work could now be carried out before the winter sets in.

: Is the Minister aware of the extreme urgency of dredging Sligo Harbour due to the fact that shipping companies are refusing to renew contracts to enter the port of Sligo? Is the Minister further aware that this case has been going on for over 12 months? On the 8th February 1978 in reply to a question from me he said he hoped to be in a position to announce a decision in the matter in the near future. On the 26 April 1978 he said he would endeavour to give an early decision on the question of the grant. We are as far away today as we were last February.

: Has the Deputy a question?

: Is the Minister aware of the urgency of the matter? If the dredging is not done in the summertime it will not take place in the wintertime.

: I am aware of the problems involved. I am still having discussions in relation to it and I am not in a position to announce a decision at the moment.

: Is money available or has money been allocated for this purpose?

: Discussions are still going on in relation to it.

: Is money available or has the money been allocated?

: It is not a question of the money being available. Discussions are taking place in relation to this particular work.

: Why has this taken 12 months, and can the Minister give me a firm date on which a decision will be made?

: I am afraid I cannot. I will make a decision on it as soon as I possibly can.

: There is no point in talking about creating jobs in Sligo while, by the Minister's action in not dredging Sligo harbour, we are losing jobs.