asked the Minister for the Environment when he intends to approve the preliminary report submitted by Roscommon County Council for the Tarmonbarry sewerage scheme.

(Dublin South-East): Having regard to the need to conserve capital for schemes of the highest priority, I cannot say at present when a decision may issue to Roscommon County Council on the preliminary proposals for this village sewerage scheme which are under consideration in my Department.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Can the Minister give any indication of the number of schemes submitted by Roscommon County Council which are awaiting approval in his Department?

(Dublin South-East): Unfortunately, no. I cannot give such an indication or go further than the information I have given in the answer.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Is it not strange that the Minister would give as the reason for not approving this scheme that he must conserve finance for other schemes having a higher priority, presumably in County Roscommon, if he does not know how many schemes are before the Department?

(Dublin South-East): I appreciate what the Deputy says but he must appreciate that it is misleading to give wildcat promises to the House. I have no intention of giving any. Whether that is pleasing or displeasing to the Deputy, that is the situation.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I do not say this in an argumentative way but the answer given by the Minister about priority is merely a formula for telling the House that there is no money in the Department to go ahead with this scheme and that he has not the foggiest idea when the money will be available.

(Dublin South-East): I do not accept what the Deputy says. I said there were financial constraints. That is the position and no-one is running away from it.

I should like to ask the Minister——

I have already allowed six supplementaries.

In view of the fact that there are 12 schemes from Roscommon with the Department at present and that no money has been provided this year for new starts, can the Minister say what moneys are likely to be made available to the council?

(Dublin South-East): Regrettably, as I have already told the Deputy, it is not possible for me to give that information. It is only going over the same ground again.

Will any money be made available this year?

(Dublin South-East): I have answered all the questions. That is a separate question and if the Deputy wishes to put it down, I will answer it.

24.