Would the Minister consider allocating extra money to Dún Laoghaire Corporation, namely £56,000, to keep open Blackrock and Dún Laoghaire baths?

(Dublin South-East): I do not want to say that I regard that to be a separate question but I am compelled——

It is a straight question.

As one would expect from a new Deputy.

(Dublin South-East): Absolutely. However, I find it impossible to give an assurance of that kind. The assurance which I will give Deputy Cosgrave is that I will have that matter examined.

In the light of the Minister's reply, I understand that a proposal has been made to transfer money already allocated for traffic lights to the opening and maintenance of both Blackrock and Dún Laoghaire baths and that it would need ministerial sanction to transfer this money, amounting to £50,000. Arising out of a meeting last night, it was hoped that ministerial approval would be forthcoming. Would the Minister be prepared to sanction this transfer of money?

(Dublin South-East): I could not give such an assurance, but as I have already told the Deputy, I will certainly look into the matter. I just could not give an assurance on transfers of money. However, it does not follow that this would not happen.

Deputy Quinn for a final supplementary question, please.

If the proposal were made to the Minister, would he be prepared to consider it favourably?

(Dublin South-East): I am considering the question and I will communicate with the Deputy.

Deputy Quinn for a final supplementary question, please.

Would the Minister not agree, from all his experience in local government, that this kind of nonsense should stop? If Dún Laoghaire wants to spend £1,000 on the maintenance of their public baths instead of having traffic lights, they should have the power within the local authority system to do so and the Minister's sanction should be automatic. It should be the responsibility of the local authority and not that of some bureaucrat in the Custom House.

(Dublin South-East): I do not share Deputy Quinn's view that this is nonsense or agree with his remarks about bureaucrats in the Custom House. Deputy Cosgrave, obviously out of concern, asked me if money could be sanctioned. In reply I told him, to the best of my ability, that I could give him that assurance. If Deputy Quinn interprets that to be nonsense or a bureacratic tangle, obviously that is the Deputy's interpretation. I have the experience which the Deputy suggests, as he does himself, on local authorities and I will do the best I can to expedite the matter on behalf of Deputy Cosgrave.

Would the Minister not agree that if we are to have a system of local government which is local and governmental, that authority, on a day like this and in weather like this, should be able to decide that money already there should be switched from providing traffic lights to the maintenance of the baths? Otherwise we do not have a system of local democracy at all.

That would be a question for resolution at another time and not for resolution at Question Time.

The Minister is responsible for urban affairs. He is being asked to sanction the transfer of money that is already there.

(Dublin South-East): With respect, I consider I have answered the Deputy's question.

So does the Chair. With the permission of the House, I move on to indicate — yes, Deputy Cosgrave?

Will the Minister give a commitment that at least Dún Laoghaire Corporation will get a fair crack of the whip in relation to moneys being allocated, in view of the millions being allocated to other parts of Dublin? Certainly an extra few thousand pounds should be allocated to Dún Laoghaire, so that people can at least go swimming.

With respect, Dún Laoghaire has had a fair crack of the whip in respect of that matter now. I will move on to the next question.

Question No. 28 postponed.