asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding Malin Head and Lough Inn regional water supply; and the cause of the delay in proceeding with this scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Water and Sewerage Schemes.
20.
Contract documents for proposed water supply scheme for Malin Head and a Preliminary report for the Lough Inn regional water supply scheme, submitted by Donegal County Council, are at present being examined in my Department.
21.
asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the Cranford water supply scheme, County Donegal.
Revised preliminary proposals submitted by Donegal County Council for a water supply Scheme for Cranford were aproved by my Department on 24th July, 1964. I understand that final documents for the scheme are in course of preparation.
There is no money for that, either.
The documents are not with me, as the Deputy is probably aware from the answer I have given.
He wants the plans altered so that the water will run up the hill.
22.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state the present position in relation to water and sewerage services to be provided in Milford, County Donegal to serve the new convent school now in the course of erection; if a bank (name supplied) in Letterkenny has refused the Donegal County Council overdraft accommodation in respect of this project; if so, if he can indicate by whom this scheme will now be financed; and if service will be available in time for the opening of the school.
I have already approved proposals which include provision for the extension of water and sewerage facilities to the new convent school at Milford. I understand from Donegal County Council that overdraft accommodation was not sought by them in respect of this project. Sanction to the raising of a loan to finance the scheme has been issued to the local authority.
I have no reason to believe that services will not be available in time for the opening of the school.
Surely, at last we have caught the Minister stating an untruth. I should like to ask the Minister did he state that Donegal County Council have not applied for a loan?
That is right.
I should like to point out to the House that the manager of the Donegal County Council stated at a general purposes committee meeting on Monday week that his application to the Department of Local Government for £8,000 was refused and he was advised to make application to the Hibernian Bank in Letterkenny and the Manager of the Hibernian Bank in Letterkenny also refused.
The question asks: "If a bank (name supplied) in Letterkenny has refused the Donegal County Council overdraft accommodation in respect of this project." My information is — and this is confirmed by a telephone call yesterday evening from Lifford — to the effect that they have not been refused overdraft accommodation in respect of this project by this or any other bank in Lifford.
Did Donegal County Council make application to the Department of Local Government for a sum of money to carry out this work?
That is correct.
That is a separate question.
Did the Minister refuse that application or did he sanction it?
As I have already told the Deputy in my reply, the sanction to the raising of a loan to finance the scheme has been issued to the local authority.
I do not wish to delay the proceedings of the House but surely the Minister should be truthful?
I am being truthful.
The Minister advised Donegal County Council to apply to The Hibernian Bank in Letterkenny and the bank in Letterkenny has declined to advance £8,000 to Donegal County Council.
The loan has been sanctioned and that annoys the Deputy, I know. I have sanctioned the loan and that is not the question. The Deputy does not want the loan.