asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to-date in relation to the drainage of Dunkellin river, County Galway since a deputation from that area met his predecessor in 1978.

: Since this matter was discussed by my predecessor with a deputation from the area on 27 April 1979 some progress has been made on the design of a drainage scheme for the catchment. Because, however, of the considerable demand on the resources available for the many engineering projects of the Office of Public Works, I am still not in a position to say when the design of the Dunkellin scheme will be completed.

: When the Minister says there is a considerable demand on the resources available does that mean that he has not got the money to proceed with this job at present?

: We advertised through the Civil Service Commission recently for engineers. At present the Civil Service Commission have an advertisement in the paper for engineers for our Department. We have a certain amount of difficulty in recruiting engineers; they are not available to us. If we get the engineers we will carry out the work.

: If there was a by-election there the Minister would start it.

: Why is there a difficulty in getting them? Surely it is a good position; they are reasonably well paid. Are they afraid that they will not be paid because of the way things are looking?

: They are not available.

: If they are not available what is the point of advertising for them?