asked the Minister for Finance whether arising out of his reply by way of a letter on 5 October last to representations from Deputy Blaney in regard to the restoration of the Ballinamore-Ballyconnell Canal, he will state the steps taken to recruit professional staff which he has stated are necessary to complete the survey of this project which has been in progress since 1969; and when it is hoped to complete this survey so that restoration work can at last commence.

(Clare): Preliminary arrangements have been made for a competition for recruitment of the additional engineering staff required for the survey of the feasibility of restoring the Ballinamore-Ballyconnell Canal. Further progress is dependent upon the resolution of problems arising from the present permitted level of staffing in the engineering branch of the Office of Public Works.

I can assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to resolve these problems and thus to expedite completion of the survey.