§ MR. MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Solicitor General for Ireland whether complaints have reached him that the sewerage system of Derry is a tide locked sewerage, and that the Corporation, although aware of the defects of this system, have deferred the question of the proper ventilation of the sewers indefinitely; also that the sewerage of the gaol runs into this defective sewerage of the City; and, whether, inasmuch as the gaol is situated at the very summit level of the city, and necessarily becomes the receptacle of the sewer gases, which must rise up to it and escape through the ordinary sewer traps into the gaol, he will take steps to remedy this danger to the health of prisoners in this gaol?
§ MR. MADDENNo complaints have reached the Government on the subject of the Londonderry sewerage system. It appears that the sewer system opens into the tidal river Foyle; but that the outlets of the sewers are protected by automatic tidal flaps, which are in good working order. The Sanitary Officer states that the prison sewer is connected with one of the city sewers within 250 yards from the outlet of the latter into the river, that at the junction of the two sewers there is a ventilator and syphon trap which completely separates any gases which might possibly be in the main sewer from the prison sewer, and allows of their escape, and 1750 that in the city sewer referred to there is a combined manhole and ventilator within 150ft. of the river into which it opens. He adds that there is no just cause for complaint in regard to the ventilation of the sewers.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)Has the Report of Dr. O'Farrell upon the state of the Derry Gaol been received, and will it be circulated to-morrow? I also wish to know whether any independent gentleman will report upon the condition of this prison?
§ MR. MADDENThat hardly arises out of the question upon the Paper. A Report will, I believe, be laid on the Table.