asked the Minister for the Environment the number of organisations, both private and professional, which have contacted him in writing expressing a positive interest in participating in the provision of toll roads; and in respect of such communications, (1) the number of organisations both private and professional; (2) the number of specific projects identified; and (3) the approximate volume of capital which was indicated as being available for participation in such toll road schemes.

As I have already intimated in the course of the debate in the House on the Local Government (Toll Roads) Bill, 1978, there have been a number of expressions of interest in the concept of participating in the provision of improved road facilities on a toll basis and I do not propose to disclose details of these at this stage.

I am aware that a number of road authorities also have been approached about particular projects in their areas.

I would repeat that the Government welcome the response from the private sector as to the prospects of capital being invested in suitable toll projects which will help to supplement the amounts being provided in the public capital programme for road and bridge improvements.

I listened to the senior Minister's comments on Second Stage and Committee State debates. The reason I put down the question was to attempt to get information that was not volunteered during the debates. Is the Minister of State in a position, without breach of commercial confidentially, to answer the question, that is, the number of organisations that have specifically contacted the Minister, the number of projects listed and the approximate volume of capital? Surely that information is not confidential.

I cannot give the Deputy the names of the persons who approached my Department. The position is that a number of locations have been mentioned such as Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Galway and the by-pass in Naas.

Can the Minister indicate the number of organisations that have expressed positive interest?

I cannot give the number but quite a number of organisations have approached the Department.

Would the Minister of State define for me and for the House what "quite a number" means? Is it one, five or ten?

At least six.

I am calling Question No. 4. The Deputy has already asked four questions.

I appreciate that but my question is explicit. If the Minister can say "at least six", why can he not say exactly what the number was?

Question No. 4.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Am I right in thinking that there were only two live inquiries about toll roads?

That is not so.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister satisfied that there are more than two inquiries from people or organisations who are ready to participate?

Yes.

How many?

I am not saying exactly how many.

With reference to the last part of my question, may I ask the Minister the approximate volume of capital which has been suggested, to which he did not reply in his initial statement? Does the Minister know the approximate volume of capital that has been mentioned in regard to the "at least six" inquiries?

It is not possible to give an approximation because it would be necessary to have estimates of the cost of the projects from the local authorities concerned.

Is it reasonable to assume that on the basis of this extraordinary paucity of information the Minister's Department have proceeded to draft legislation?

Question No. 4.

4.