asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works are taking over the canal system.

The Government have given approval in principle for the transfer of the Grand Canal system and the Royal Canal from CIE to the Office of Public Works.

Implementation of the transfer, which will require legislation, is now being planned.

Is the Minister aware that the Minister for Tourism and Transport announced approximately eight months ago that he intended in the near future to introduce legislation to enable this changeover to take place and since then he said there were certain difficulties which were being ironed out but he hoped in the near future to introduce the legislation? Has any progress been made?

I cannot answer for another Minister's Department.

Surely the Minister is aware of how soon this is likely to take place?

I said that new legislation is necessary to transfer to the Commissioners of Public Works the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal.

Seeing that the Minister's Department are vitally affected by this surely the Minister should know when it is likely that this legislation will be introduced?

Eventually.

Surely the Minister of State can tell the House——

It is not in order to ignore the Chair in this fashion.

I am not ignoring the Chair.

The Minister of State has said that the legislation required to give effect to this transfer of ownership is being prepared. Will he tell the House if the heads of the Bill have been circulated to all Government Departments?

The legislation will be issued by another Department, not by my Department.

The Minister's Department are involved and surely he knows if the heads of the Bill have been circulated.

To my knowledge the legislation is being prepared at the moment.

Has the Minister any further information on the matter?

I am afraid I have no further information. Perhaps the Deputy would put down a question to the Minister concerned.