asked the Minister for the Environment if he will instruct Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council to have the stream at Whyteleaf Grove, the Donaghies, Dublin 13, culverted; and if proposals for culverting have come before his Department.

The formulation of drainage proposals is a matter for individual sanitary authorities in the first instance and I would have a direct function only where a local authority submit a proposal which would require my approval. I understand that neither Dublin Corporation nor Dublin County Council have any proposals at present to culvert the stream in question.

Is the Minister aware of the danger to children in this area due to the fact that the stream is unprotected? With that in mind will the Minister approach the council or Dublin Corporation — I think Dublin County Council are now responsible for the stream — with a view to them submitting a proposal to him?

As I indicated in the reply, it is really a local matter at this stage. I suggest that the Deputy takes it up with his local authority to have proposals submitted to my Department and I will be only too happy to have my officials examine it to see if something could not be done.