asked the Minister for Local Government if he will now make available to the Donegal County Council the grants necessary for the carrying out of the Rossnakill-Tamney water supply scheme.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Rossnakill-Tamney Water Supply Scheme.
This scheme, if approved, would qualify for State assistance in the form of contributions to loan charges which, in the case of Gaeltacht schemes, was fixed some years ago at the rate of 43? per cent. It is not clear whether the Deputy's question relates to the Rossnakill-Tamney scheme alone or to a larger regional scheme, the possibility of which was mentioned in a report from the county engineer which was before the county council on the 14th December last. In regard to the larger scheme the county council was advised on the 5th instant to have it considered from the aspect of need and urgency and to obtain the advice of the county medical officer. The question of making available contributions at the current rate of subsidy or at any higher rate which may be determined will not arise until the Department is informed whether the county council are proceeding with the scheme mentioned in the Deputy's question or, alternatively, whether after consulting the county medical officer as recommended, they decide to proceed with the larger scheme.
Will the Minister not agree it is obvious from the question that I am referring to the Rossnakill-Tamney scheme and, as a result of the question being directed entirely to that particular scheme, will the Minister now answer the question of whether or not he will give the necessary grants in order that we can go ahead with the scheme?
The Deputy should bear in mind that the council of which he is a member submitted an alternative scheme to me and that that alternative scheme was before the council on the 14th December last. On the 5th instant, I was advised of this report on the regional scheme. I have now asked the council to make up their minds as to which scheme they wish to adopt—the regional scheme or the original scheme of Rossnakill-Tamney. When I have received the decision of the council I can deal with the matter of the grants.
Will the Minister admit now that the allegation that I held up the scheme in December last is completely untrue in view of the fact that the Minister is not in a position to say that he is able to go on with it?
What happened in December is this. When the scheme came from the local authority, the county manager informed them that the assistance which would be given from central funds was 43? per cent. of the loan charges. There and then, Deputy Blaney said there was 100 per cent. grant for such schemes.
Will the Minister quote the minute and the words as well? Those were not the words used. With the permission of the Chair, I intend to raise the subject matter of this question on the Adjournment this afternoon.
The Deputy will be communicated with.
I might point out that the Deputy on another occasion gave notice that he wished to raise this matter on the Adjournment and that then he had not the courtesy to turn up or even to apologise——
That is not true. The Minister will take his oil this afternoon.