asked the Minister for Finance the up-to-date position in relation to the survey being carried out on the River Shannon.

It was decided in the 1983 budget to defer the proposed multipurpose feasibility study of the River Shannon flood problem. I am not in a position at present to say when this survey might now be undertaken.

There is a 50 per cent EEC funding for this survey and it is rather strange——

A question please, Deputy.

——that the Office of Public Works have not started on the survey. Could the Minister give me an assurance that this survey will start as soon as possible?

I hope the survey will start soon but I have no indication as to when the funds will be available.