asked the Minister for the Environment the present position regarding the application by Louth County Council to his Department for permission to raise a loan for a new library in Ardee, County Louth.

Plans for this scheme have been approved by my Department. Louth County Council's application for approval to the raising of a loan for the scheme will be considered in the context of the large number of applications on hands relative to the limited capital available for library projects.

Would the Minister agree that this matter has been under discussion for quite a long time and that a town the size of Ardee is entitled to public library facilities? In these circumstances, will he give special consideration to the application from Louth County Council for permission to raise a loan?

I will.