Has the Minister considered the ludicrous situation whereby payments have to be made by the Department of Social Welfare as a result of local authorities putting men on three-day weeks at the end of each year. This is a matter that has been raised by many other Members, including the Ceann Comhairle.

That would seem to be a separate question. We cannot discuss at this point the whole area of the Department of the Environment plus the Department of Social Welfare.

While I accept your ruling, I suggest that the question is not separate on the basis that it deals with the protection of taxpayers' money that has been invested in our county roads system. We are trying to maintain that investment and I should like to hear what the plans are in this area.

While it is not my immediate responsibility, I can tell the Deputy that the Government are aware of the apparent contradiction in what he has described and that it is our intention to ascertain in what way the problem can be solved.