asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if the debt of £116,657.97 owed to his Department by Connaught Airport Development Company Limited in June 1987 has now been paid; if not, the amount outstanding; if any further debts have been incurred to his Department or any body or company under his aegis; if so, the amount; and what this amount was in respect of.

The amount, inclusive of interest accruing on arrears, due by Connaught Regional Airport to my Department on 30 June 1987 was £109,357.59. The Deputy mentioned £116,657.97 in his question. My Department have continued to provide an air traffic control service at the airport since that time and the amount outstanding at 31 May 1988 was £232,766.95.

The airport company have now come to an arrangement with my Department to discharge the outstanding debt. There are no other debts due by the airport company to my Department, nor to any bodies or companies under the aegis therefor.

Does the Minister recall that seven months ago he assured me that phased payments on the moneys due would be made by the company? Have any moneys been received and what are the precise payments to be?

Phased payments have been made. As for the rest, the information is available in my answer as I read it out.

How much are the phased payments?

If the Deputy puts down a question I will be able to give him the details, but I want to repeat that the company had come to an arrangement with my Department to discharge all the outstanding debt. I am quite satisfied that will be done in the very near future.

Finally, when will the moneys due be discharged; at what time?

I could not give a specific date but I would be very surprised if all the debts due to my Department were not paid within the month.

Within?

A month.

Question No. 3 postponed.