§ MR. W. J. CORBETasked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Whether it is not a fact that, by the 32 Geo. 3, cap. 165 24, and 26 Vic. cap. 209, one of the objects for which the Wicklow Copper Mine Company was incorporated was "the maintaining, repairing, and improving of the harbour of Arklow," and, inasmuch as the said harbour has been allowed by default of the Company to fall into a ruinous state, to the injury of the people of the town, who depend upon the sea fisheries for their livelihood, whether Government will take steps to insist either on having the harbour put in repair by the Company, in accordance with the provisions of the Acts vesting the property in them, or to stand aside and allow the townspeople to avail themselves of the advantages offered by the Treasury?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)Sir, the facts are stated in this Question with substantial accuracy. Any person damnified by the condition of the harbour through the default of the Wicklow Copper Mine Company, can obtain redress in the ordinary course by an action in Her Majesty's Courts. The harbour being the property of the Company, it appears to me more the duty of the persons interested in the matter than of the Government to see that the Company duly discharge the obligations imposed on them by statute. My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland, in answer to a Question on this matter on the 24th of last month, explained that the late Government had agreed to make a loan and grant for the purpose of this harbour; but their action was frustrated by that of the Company, over whom the Government have no control.