asked the Minister for the Environment if there have been any applications to build toll roads or bridges in this country.

As the Deputy is probably aware, there are at present no legal powers which would enable tolls to be charged on public roads or bridges. I announced publicly on 10 August last that the Government have approved proposals prepared by me for the drafting of legislation to enable such developments to take place. I hope to be in a position to introduce this legislation during the current session. While interest has been expressed in the provision of certain projects on a toll basis, the question of applications, as such, does not at present arise.

We have been building freeways for a very long time. Why have we now decided to consider the possibility of tolls? Is it because of shortage of capital?

If private enterprise can be encouraged to invest money in the improvement of roads and the construction of bridges it means that more money will be available to the State for this purpose. We could be provided with bridges, by-passes and an improved road network.

That was always true. What has happened recently to make it more true?

The Government are facing up to the situation in a realistic fashion.

Which they did not do before?

If toll roads and bridges are such an attractive commercial proposition why do the Government not build them themselves and collect tolls on them together with the loss making roads and bridges of which they have many?

By getting private enterprise involved in the allocation of money and by making funds available for these purposes, more money will be spent on the building of bridges, the improvement of roads and the building of by-passes which are badly needed.

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.

On a point of order, would I be in order in suggesting in the most non-contentious way possible, and with great respect to the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, and expressing gratitude for the few grains of information we got, in future when the appropriate Minister is not available to the House, out of courtesy to the House the Government might tell us where he is or why he is not here.

That is not a point of order by any stretch of the imagination.

I am drawing to the attention of the House the fact that——

The Deputy should not ask me to stretch Standing Orders unduly.

It is not unreasonable to expect the Government to have the courtesy to tell the House where the Minister is if he is not available at Question Time.