§ MR. COX (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to a resolution of the Clare Castle Harbour 980 Trustees, passed on the 26th January last, with reference to the obstruction caused in the River Fergus by the stones and mud washed into the bed of the river from the broken slob lands embankment; whether he is aware of the danger to navigation caused thereby; and whether he will have steps taken to remove the present obstruction and to prevent a recurrence? Before the right hon. Gentleman answers I should like to ask him whether since this Notice has been placed on the Paper his attention has not been again directed to the dangerous condition of the River Fergus; and also why it is that the complaints have never received the slightest attention? Frequent representations have been made by the Local Board Chairman on the 25th January, and the time when this Notice was placed on the Paper.
*SIR J. GORSTI am informed that, after a very careful examination of the River Fergus by the engineer of the Board of Works, no such obstruction as that described has been found to exist.
§ MR. COXMay I be permitted to read the communication sent to the right hon. Gentleman by the Secretary of the Clare Castle Harbour Commissioners last Friday?
*SIR J. GORSTI think it would be more satisfactory if the hon. Member would put down a further question.