asked the Minister for the Environment why he has failed to sanction the contract for phase 2 of the Dublin County Council housing programme at Ballyboden, County Dublin; and if he will sanction phase 2 as a matter of urgency.

On 25 November 1980 I approved a proposal by Dublin County Council to accept the lowest tender received for the erection of 160 dwellings at Edmondstown, Ballyboden—Stage 1/Phase 2. However, following the failure of the original contractor, to comply with the council's requirements regarding the signing of the contract, the county council have now submitted a proposal for the acceptance of the second lowest tender to my Department. This new proposal is under examination and I hope to be in a position to issue a decision thereon shortly.