asked the Minister for Finance when his Department hope to be in a position to report to the Department of the Gaeltacht on the necessity for improvements to the pier facilities at Inishere, Aran Islands, County Galway.

The improvements proposed for Inishere pier involve a major extension to the structure. A hydrographic survey is necessary and is being arranged. The Commissioners of Public Works expect to have considered the findings of the survey and to have reported to the Department of the Gaeltacht by the end of this year.

Is the Minister aware of the reply given by the Minister for the Gaeltacht here on 1 February that the Board of Works might not be able to produce the results of these surveys to him quickly enough and that he was considering whether he would employ outside consultants? He thought six months too long to have to wait. He was told by the OPW that it might take six months. I am surprised now to hear the Minister here state that it will take nearly 12 months. Has the Minister been in communication with the Minister for the Gaeltacht to have this work carried out by a private consultant rather than waiting 12 months for the Office of Public Works to do it? Obviously, they do not have the staff to do the work.

It was because of the amount of other survey work in my Department that there was a delay and the Department were unable to reach the programme during 1983. However, on 3 February 1984 An Roinn sanctioned the engagement of a private firm to undertake the survey and preparations are being made to appoint a suitable firm. This will probably have to go to tender.

I take it from the information the Minister has given that a private firm will do the work and not, as the Minister indicated, the Office of Public Works?

They are appointing the consultants.

May we take it that the private consultants will be appointed fairly soon?

Arrangements are being made to appoint them fairly soon.