asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when the new central sorting office for the Munster area will be built at Mallow, County Cork; the reason for the delay in building it; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

: It is not possible to say when a new sorting office to serve the Mallow postal district will be built. Negotiations for the purchase of a site were conducted in 1982 but the prospective vendor withdrew. Financial constraints have delayed matters since then.

: Is the Minister aware of the great security risks involved here? Is he aware of the past history of the postal sorting office?

: I am aware of the situation that arises there in a general way. I did not know about the security risks, as such. But, as I have just said, negotiations for a site were conducted but the vendor withdrew in that case. It is now really a matter of financial consideration.

: Would the Minister be prepared to give it priority in view of the security risk I have mentioned?

: The security risk is one of which I did not have knowledge myself and I will draw it to the attention of the Department straightaway.