asked the Minister for the Environment when it is expected that the work on the first phase of the water augmentation scheme for Dundalk Urban Council from Lake Muckno, Castleblayney, County Monaghan will commence.

39.

asked the Minister for the Environment when work will commence on Dundalk Urban Council water augmentation scheme from Lake Muckno, Castleblayney, County Monaghan.

52.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the serious problem regarding the employment of workers at Tegral Pipes Limited, Newtown, Drogheda, County Louth; if he is aware that the county manager for Louth has recommended that a builder proposing to use Irish-made pipes be given the contract for the Dundalk water scheme; if he is aware that this would help to save the jobs of these Drogheda and Irish workers; if will state his decision on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 39 and 52 together.

Dundalk Urban District Council have submitted their proposals for the acceptance of tenders for contract 1, river regulation works at Lough Muckno and contract 4, the pipeline from Stephenstown to Cavan Hill to Dundalk, of the Dundalk water supply augmentation scheme. I hope to be in a positive to give my decision on the urban council's proposals shortly.

Would the Minister agree this scheme has been advertised and tenders accepted and that the supply is urgently required? This is the beginning of a fairly extensive scheme and there are proposals in Monaghan to draw from that lake. It is very important therefore that we go ahead with the first phase.

I appreciate that the town of Dundalk has been experiencing water supply difficulties for some years and that the implementation of this scheme will provide much needed relief. This is a major scheme and I hope to be in a position to make a decision in relation to contract 1 and contract 4 in the very near future.

Can we expect a decision before Christmas?

Yes.