asked the Minister for Finance if the contract has been placed for the new Garda barracks in Killarney, County Kerry; and, if so, if he will give some indication as to the date the building of the barracks will commence.

It is expected that a tender will be accepted this week for the erection of a new Garda district headquarters at Killarney, County Kerry. Building works should commence on site shortly.

As far as I know, tenders were received in the Minister's Department prior to Christmas. One would imagine that the tender which is to be accepted should be known by now. Is the Minister prepared to give the name of the tenderer who has got the contract?

No. It would be against procedure to name the contractor before the contract is actually signed. The Deputy will be well aware of that.