§ MR. W. J. CORBET (Wicklow, E.)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether he is aware that nothing has been done to repair the pier on the north side of Arklow Harbour, and that a quantity of old piles and blocks of stone 719 are thrown in the bed of the river, obstructing the entrance to the harbour; and, whether he will direct the Board of Works forthwith to complete the work in accordance with the original contract, as set forth in Parliamentary Paper [C. 4775]?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)I am informed that no representations have been made to the Board of Works as to débris from the old north pier at Arklow obstructing the entrance to the harbour, and no obstruction is believed to exist. Nothing has been done towards repairing the old pier; but the new north groyne proposed to be constructed when the plans were approved would occupy the site of the old pier, and doubtless improve the entrance. As, however, the hon. Member is well aware, no steps can be taken for the construction of the new groyne until the township of Arklow shall have given a guarantee for any excess caused in its construction over the sum originally provided for the harbour works at Arklow.
MR. W. J. CORBETTasked, was it not the fact that the original sum was quite sufficient to cover all the expenses of making the harbour according to the original plan; and that it was in consequence of a departure from the plan that the additional expenses had become necessary.
§ MR. JACKSONsaid, the answer to that must be that the sum originally granted was not sufficient, because it had proved insufficient. He had been assured that every precaution would be taken to make the work complete.