§ MR. BIGGAR (Cavan, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Was the Red Bay Pier, county Antrim, constructed with Government money for the purpose of a fishery pier, or did the Government loan the money for its construction to any individual or Company; if the latter was the case, to whom was the loan granted, and has the loan been repaid in full; who has been authorised to collect dues at the said pier; what amount has been collected and expended on the keep up of the pier during the last ten years; and, would a fishing fleet in the present day be accommodated within its shelter clear of dues?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.), in reply, said, this pier was constructed between 1848 and 1851, and the cost was defrayed by a grant from the Government of £3,500, and by a loan of £1,500, the whole of which has been repaid by the county. It was the duty, of the Grand Jury of the County Antrim 583 to collect the tolls which, in the last 10 years, amounted to £700. The cost of maintaining the pier during the same period was £1,052. The rates for all vessels was 2d. per registered ton, and there was no exception for fishing boats. The harbour was very small.