§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Ballycotton Pier is about being handed over by the Board of Works, as completed, to the Grand Jury of County Cork; whether the portion of the old pier which ha s been so of ten complained of, and which it was promised should be removed, has not been touched, and still remains a source of impediment and danger to all fishing vessels entering the harbour; whether the rubble, which it was stipulated should be dredged, has been removed; what were the original specifications contracted for; and, whether the Board of Works are satisfied with the execution of the work? The hon. Gentleman also asked, Whether a competent engineer will be sent down to inspect the Ballycotton Pier; whether a request to that effect having been made by the local Catholic clergyman, the Rev. M. P. Norris, at the request of 696 the Ballycotton fishermen, to the Board of Works, an answer was given, saying that Mr. Keating would be sent down to inspect the work; whether Father Norris called attention to the fact that Mr. Keating was the engineer under whose superintendence the work was carried out, and, having regard to the unsatisfactory result, requested that an independent engineer might be sent, and whether the Board refused to accede to the request; whether it is a fact that five boats have already been aground on the rubble which has accumulated in the course of construction of the pier; and, whether, in consequence of the said accumulation, where there was formerly a sandy bottom next the pier, with from four to 10 feet of water, there is at present only from one to five?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)(who replied) said: The Ballycotton Pier has been handed over to the Grand Jury for maintenance in the usual way. I am informed that the remains of the old pier have been removed to the full depth recommended by the Fishery Commissioners, and that almost all the rubble has been removed, and the rest will be so. The original specifications contracted for were the building of a pier and breakwater, with a beacon, and the removal, if required, of a part of the old pier. The Board of Works are satisfied with the execution of the works; but, in accordance with the request of Father Norris, the chief engineer of the Board will visit the place shortly, and will observe the exact state of the works. The Board have no information of any boats grounding; and as regards the depth along the pier, they state that for 245 feet out of 285 feet the depth at low water ordinary spring tides varies from four feet to 12 feet.