§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the conflict of opinion between the Cork County Grand Jury and the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, in respect to the alleged serious defects in the Ballycotton Pier, and the refusal of the Grand Jury to take over and maintain the pier, Whether he will take steps to insure that a competent engineer, independent of either of these Bodies, shall be sent to examine into and report on the condition of the work?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.), in reply, said, he had ordered an inspection of this pier, and he had had submitted to him Reports from the engineers who had made the inspection. He had carefully read these Reports; and although there was considerable conflict of opinion between the Grand Jury and the engineers, he had no doubt that the pier was substantially built and perfectly safe. The pier and walls had been tested, and there was no evidence at all of any movement as stated. The locality might rest assured that the work was well designed, well constructed, and perfectly safe.