In replying to the last number of questions the Minister referred to the capital programme for next year. Does he intend to have this before the Dáil before Christmas, as originally suggested by the Minister for Finance, because there seems to be a total backlog of work which the Minister of State has sat on since the end of June? In view of the unemployment in the construction industry can we know when we will have the capital programme so as to be in a position to know what schemes will go ahead next year?

As the Deputy is aware, we will know the figure when the budget proposals issue.

The Minister will recall we had a number of statements by the Minister for Finance that the Estimates would be brought before the Dáil for scrutiny and examination well in advance of the start of the financial year. Arising out of those statements, when will the Minister for Finance bring next year's Capital Budget before the Dáil for scrutiny and examination?

That is a matter for the Minister for Finance and I suggest Deputy Haughey put down that question to the Department of Finance.

The Minister will agree it is of crucial importance for the operation of his Department, which is one of the largest availing of the Public Capital Programme. Is the Minister not in a position to tell me the state of the Public Capital Programme? Have the Estimates been prepared and when will they come before the Dáil?

The Estimates are presently under review and under preparation. I am not in a position to say when they will be brought before the Dáil because, as I said, that is a matter for the Minister for Finance.

Does that not leave the Minister high and dry?

We have been high and dry since last June.

But the Minister is not home and dry yet, and that is more important.