asked the Minister for the Environment the up-to-date position in relation to the east Inishowen regional water scheme, County Donegal, the contract documents for which are with his Department for approval.

Contract documents for this scheme are under consideration in my Department. The proposals for this scheme must be considered in the context of the amount of capital available for water and sewerage schemes and the number of such schemes in progress or getting to construction at the present time. Having regard to the need to conserve capital for schemes of the highest priority, I cannot indicate when I may be in a position to convey a decision to Donegal County Council regarding their proposals for this scheme.