asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the report of the Higher Education Authority regarding the need for a regional technical college in Dún Laoghaire and of the availability of a suitable site at Carriglea, Dún Laoghaire, he will take steps to acquire the site.

Negotiations for the purchase of a site at Carriglea Park, Dún Laoghaire have been completed. Contract documents are in course of preparation.

Could the Minister tell the House when these negotiations began?

Negotiations have been continuing for quite some time now.

How long is "quite some time"? I am anxious to know this and to have it on the record. It seems extraordinary that Deputy Cosgrave should take credit for something with which he has nothing to do. I do not mean any disrespect to the young man, but am anxious to know, and am entitled to know, when the negotiations began.

The negotiations began before the questioner became a member of this House and have been continuing since, I think, March 1981.

Is the Minister describing me or Deputy Cosgrave as a questioner?

Deputy Cosgrave. Negotiations have not been going on for quite as long as Deputy Andrews has been a member of this House.

I appreciate that.

Would the Minister indicate to the House that the deal was made before he took office?

Absolutely. I have no desire to accept responsibility for a number of decisions taken by the previous occupier of this position.

May I take it from what the Minister has said that he does not think a good deal was got for the regional technical college in Carriglea?

The Deputy is reading a little too much into my reply. The site in question is——

Excellent.

——regarded as being very suitable to serve the catchment area for the proposed new RTC. I am, indeed, pleased that the negotiations have concluded and hope that the contract documents will be signed in the course of the next few weeks.