andMr. Mannion asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that an application has been made and specifications submitted to his Department for a Galway city west water scheme; and the progress made to-date by his Department in relation to this scheme.

The Galway County Council's proposals for the Galway city west scheme must be considered in the context of the overall resources available for the sanitary services programme and the number of fully approved schemes in progress or getting to construction and for which adequate finance must be provided. I am not as yet in a position to say when approval may issue to the local authority of the contract documents for this scheme which are at present under consideration in my Department.

Can the Minister say when the application for approval to the contract documents was submitted to Galway Corporation?

The revised contract documents were submitted on 26 September 1978.

Can the Minister say when the original application for contract documents was made?

I have not that information.

The revised ones were submitted over two years ago.

Is the House to understand that revised documents, irrespective of whatever date the first documents were lodged, for the fourth largest city in the country came in in September 1978 and the Minister still does not know if he has the money to pay for it?

The question relates to the scheme I have before me. I have given the Deputy the reply——

That was written for the Minister.

I assure the Deputy that Galway city and county are well looked after as regards water supply. In regard to this work there will be no undue delay.

A final supplementary.

Can the Minister tell the House one reason why the contract documents should be outstanding for two years and two months before an indication one way or the other can come from his Department?

All such schemes must be considered in the context of the finance available to my Department.

In other words, you are broke?

No, far from it.