asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the old yacht club premises on the west pier at Howth, County Dublin, are deteriorating due to failure to make a decision to develop or hand over the premises to local interests; his Department's plans for the premises; and if the premises will be made available as a fishermen's rest as stated in the original agreement.

These premises are at present under the control of the Commissioners of Public Works. I understand that the premises to which the Deputy has referred were recently vandalised by persons unknown.

It is intended to advertise the premises for letting and interested parties will be invited to submit proposals for use of the premises. All proposals including that of the local fishermen will be given full consideration.

There is no record in my Department of a firm commitment that the premises would be made available to the fishermen on their surrender by the Howth Yacht Club.

These premises have been in the possession of the commissioners for more than a year. Will the Minister agree that the delay in passing on the premises for whatever use cannot be condoned?

I will take note of what the Deputy has said. The building is considered to be of fine letting value. We will take the needs of the fishermen into account when disposing of the building. However, this is a matter for the Office of Public Works but I will impress upon them the need to deal speedily with the issue.

Will the Minister give the reason for the delay in disposing of the premises? Lest my silence on the issue is taken as an acceptance by me of the response about recording — there may not be a record written in stone or on paper in the Department — I should like to point out to the Minister that there is an understanding between fishermen, yatchsmen and representatives of the Howth community that when the old boat house was vacated it would be given over for use as a rest room for fishermen using the harbour. Will the Minister give preferential consideration to the request by fishermen to use the premises for a three-year trial period?

The views of fishermen will be taken into consideration when deciding on the use of the premises. I do not think a firm commitment was given to the fishermen. However, I accept that rumours to that effect have been circulating since the premises were handed over. I will impress upon the Office of Public Works the need to proceed immediately with the letting of the premises. At that stage we will be able to identify those who are interested in the premises and we will take into account the views of the fishermen and reports of commitments made in regard to disposing of the premises.

I will permit Deputy McCartan to ask one brief supplementary. I want to make progress and I need the Deputy's help to do so.

There was a suggestion that the premises might be sold by public tender and I should like to know if the Minister would be disposed to meeting the Howth fishermen to discuss their proposals for the premises.

I would be happy to meet them as soon as the Deputy can arrange it.

Question No. 5 withdrawn.