asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the up-to-date position in relation to development works at Howth Pier, County Dublin, with particular reference to the capital cost, likely duration of work and employment prospects.

Tenders have been invited for stage 1 of the scheme to develop Howth as a fishery harbour centre and work is expected to start early next year. Operations will take five years to complete and a complement of 100 will, it is expected, be employed at peak. As tenders are not due until the end of this month the Deputy will appreciate that it would be improper at this stage to make public the estimated cost of the work.

While I wish the work to proceed as quickly as possible, has the Minister taken into account the reservations of An Taisce and could he tell me of any discussions he has had with that body?

When a scheme is being prepared all representations by the various interested bodies are considered.

That is usual but what about this case?

That is a separate question.