§ MR. KENNYasked the Secretary to the Treasury, If it is a fact that the Board of Works, Ireland, have no jurisdiction, responsibility, or have they authority to execute works for improvement of the navigation of the River Fergus to Clare Castle, although they have to their credit a sum of £3,169 11. 0d. (receipts over expenditure), dues received by the Commissioners of Public works in Ireland, on account of Clare Castle Pier and Harbour in the years 1879, 1880, and 1881; and, whether any decision has been come to with regard to the proposal under consideration since August 1881, for transference of control of said Pier and Harbour to a Local Harbour Board, with power to make any necessary expenditure to remedy the present deplorable state of the Fergus River?
§ MR. COURTNEYSir, this Question has been put down without Notice; but I learn by telegram that the Board of Works have no jurisdiction over the navigation of the River Fergus. As regards the financial position of this harbour, the balance of receipts over expenditure is not quite so large as the figure given by the hon. Member, but amounts to £2,900. On the other hand, above £5,000 is in course of being spent in making a new quay. With regard to the last paragraph of the Question, I have to state that I think we see our way to a Bill dealing with the Shannon navigation, under which the suggested transfer will be possible, and I hope to introduce it before long.