asked the Minister for Finance whether provision has been made in the 1987 Estimates for construction of the proposed new pier at Inishbofin, County Galway.

Plans for the improvement of the pier on Inishbofin, County Galway, have been drawn up but it has not proved possible to allocate the necessary financing this year having regard to the overwhelming need to curb public expenditure and to be extremely selective in the allocation of resources among competing capital projects. In the light of the situation I have just outlined I am unable to say when it will be possible to proceed with the proposed works.

Is the Minister aware that the planning of this new pier has been under way since the early eighties and that contract documents have been prepared since 1983-84? Is the Minister further aware that commitments were entered into before and during the recent election campaign in regard to this pier? Is that commitment now being reneged on?

I am aware of all the details regarding the initiation of this matter and it probably goes back even further than 1980. I regret that, in the circumstances I have just outlined, there is nothing I can do this year.