asked the Minister for the Environment when it is proposed to provide an adequate water supply for the residents of the Hill of Howth; and when he proposes to make money available to Dublin Corporation in order that they may carry out the necessary works.

My Department conveyed approval to Dublin Corporation's preliminary proposals for the Howth water supply improvement scheme on 21 December 1982. The corporation were invited to submit detailed plans for a first stage comprising a pumping station at Dungriffen, a new rising main and a new reservoir at Bailey Green. The question of a financial commitment will not arise until the detailed plans are submitted by the corporation.

Is the Minister aware that the people on Howth summit were without water for two or three days weekly during last summer? Is he aware that there is a constant danger of gorse fires in the area and that without a proper water supply the fire brigade are unable to attend and are hampered in their efforts to contain such fires? In the light of that I ask the Minister to make available to Dublin Corporation, who tell me they cannot proceed with the work without money, the moneys to start the work.

I would be very happy to assist the Deputy and Dublin Corporation but we need to know precisely what Dublin Corporation propose to do before we can make commitments in relation to money. I suggest constructively to the Deputy that as soon as Dublin Corporation are in a position to develop their proposals we will meet them.

Have the corporation submitted their final proposals to the Department yet?

That is not the information I have.

We cannot hear the Minister of State. I have a great interest in Howth.

The preliminary report on the Howth water supply was only submitted to the Department on 16 September 1982.

The Minister of State said it was submitted on 16 September. Was that the complete works proposal?

The information I have is that the preliminary proposal was submitted in September and it was approved by the Department of the Environment on 21 December. The ball is now back in the court of Dublin Corporation to develop that proposal and to get it properly costed.

Has the Minister of State any indication as to when the works are likely to begin and when they could be completed? I agree with Deputy Cosgrave that this matter is very urgent, that there have been some very serious fires and great shortages of water there. If the time scale looks like being very long would the Minister of State consider taking interim measures to deal with this matter on an emergency basis because this is a very serious matter?

The Department indicated to Dublin Corporation, when they granted their approval on 21 December, that as an interim measure Dublin Corporation should proceed with the first stage of the development, which would result in providing the kind of relief the Deputy is talking about. We are encouraging Dublin Corporation to proceed on those lines. The ball is essentially now back in the court of Dublin Corporation.

The Minister of State did not answer the other part of my question which was if he has any indication of the time scale for the first stage?

It really depends on Dublin Corporation getting the necessary documents together. I do not have that information in my brief.

In view of the seriousness of the matter would the Minister of State consider informing Dublin Corporation that he is prepared to look sympathetically at the matter in view of the difficulties that might arise on their part?

I will certainly look at that.

12.