asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress to date of the transfer of An Foras Forbartha Teo. to a new centre at Merchants Quay, Cork.

(Dublin South-East): The Government decided on 1 May 1981 that An Foras Forbartha should be decentralised to the proposed development at Merchants Quay in Cork city.

I immediately requested the board of An Foras, in consultation with my Department, to take the necessary action to enable effect to be given to the Government decision.

Preliminary discussions between representatives of An Foras and those of the development company took place on 27 May 1981, but no progress was made during the period of office of the Coalition Government.

On assuming office, I directed that An Foras should proceed with negotiations to give effect to the Government decision of May 1981. Representatives of An Foras and the company had further discussions accordingly on 21 April 1982 about the institute's accommodation needs and progress towards the relocation has, therefore, been resumed.

I understand that the proposed development is at present the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

Is the Minister suggesting that the Coalition Government stopped the proposed transfer to Cork?

(Dublin South-East): No, I am not saying that. I merely mentioned that no progress had been made and that could have been for some reason known to the Deputy. It is a very difficult and complex problem. I am only stating the facts. I hope that will not be the case in six months or in a year's time. Negotiations are being pursued actively at the moment.

The period chosen by the Minister when he stated no progress was made was politically intended. Will the Minister assure the House that because of the intricacies of the negotiations it will be some time before An Foras Forbartha can move to Cork?

(Dublin South-East): The only assurance I can give the House is that the matter will be actively pursued. I am in full knowledge that such negotiations are in progress and are moving in that direction.

Will the Minister not agree that the manner in which this proposal originated was highly questionable, that there was implicit blackmail on the part of the developer to the effect that unless a State body such as An Foras Forbartha went into the development the development would not proceed? It was highly irregular relative to the way the Office of Public Works acquire and allocate space for semi-State and State Departments.

(Dublin South-East): I do not agree with the Deputy. Certainly, I do not concur with him that any form of blackmail or irregularity took place.

Will the Minister give an assurance to the House that An Foras Forbartha will not be forcibly moved to Cork, that the views of trade union members will be taken into account and that it will be done only on a voluntary basis?

(Dublin South-East): I can give a categoric assurance that no forced move will take place. The essence of what is going on is a continuation of negotiations. There is no question of making any forced move as the Deputy has suggested.