§ SIR JOSEPH M'KENNAasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether the Board of Works in Ireland has as yet secured their Valuator's Report as to the value of the Blackwater Bridge near Youghal, and has taken the requisite preliminary steps for bringing the same into the possession or under the control of the Grand Juries of the counties of Cork and Waterford, with the view to the erection of a new permanent bridge in lieu of the present decayed structure; and, if not, whether he will take steps to expedite the removal of the serious danger which threatens the 1251 population who still make use of the bridge?
§ MR. J. LOWTHEROwing to the presentments made at the last Assizes by the Grand Juries of the counties of Waterford and Cork being informal, and I may say illegal, both in form and substance—for which state of affairs, of course, the Government are in no way responsible—the Board of Works have been prevented from carrying out the work of removal and re-construction. Until the Grand Juries concerned make legal presentments, the Government are unable to take any steps; but we are endeavouring to expedite a settlement of the difficulties.