asked the Minister for the Environment if the necessary finance has been made available for the provision of the Charlestown sewerage scheme, County Mayo, if a contractor has been appointed, when work will commence and if he will make a statement on the matter.

A loan of £247,000 has been sanctioned for the Charlestown-Bellaghy Sewerage Scheme. Mayo County Council readvertised for tenders in April 1980—the closing date for receipt of tenders is 13 June 1980. The appoint-ment of a contractor and the fixing of a commencement date will not arise until a tender has been selected by the county council and approved by my Department.

Once the contractor has been selected may I take it that the approval will not take any great length of time in the Minister's Department? What is the normal length of time?

It all depends on a number of things.

I know there are bonds and that sort of thing.

We are awaiting tenders and God only knows what decision will be taken in regard to tenders. That is a matter for Mayo County Council in the first instance. Then they will come to my Department and a decision will have to be taken there.

I am talking about tenders which come within the aegis of the Minister's responsibility, having come from the local authority. May I take it that the Minister will expedite the matter?

The Deputy may take it that it will be looked into very favourably.