§ MR. COX (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a resolution, passed by the Scarriff Board of Guardians, stating that 1472 the ratepayers cannot bear the great strain involved by a rate adequate to cope with the exceptional distress which exists in the Union, and suggesting the carrying out of reproductive relief works, such as the Scarriff drainage scheme and the projected railway from Ennis to Scarriff; and what steps he proposes to take upon it?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURA resolution passed by the Board of Guardians of the Scarriff Union has been received, and further inquiry will be made.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)In the event of the ratepayers being unable to bear the strain involved by a rate, what steps do the Government propose to take to relieve them?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAt present I am not prepared to say.
§ MR. COXI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will comply with urgent local demands for the erection of a fishing pier at Farrihy Bay on the West Coast of Clare; and, if so, when the works will be commenced?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThere is, I believe, no distress in the locality mentioned that cannot be met by the resources of the ordinary Poor Law. I may, at the same time, mention that some employment is afforded in a locality not far distant in connection with the Kilrush and Kilkee Railway.