§ MR. JAMES P. FARRELL (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, (1) whether, during his recent visit to Achil, he visited the congested village of Dooagh; (2) whether he is aware that fully 800 persons live in that village, principally upon the fishing industry; that large quantities of fish are daily lost owing to the want of a proper pier and breakwater, and also of a short road from Kini to Dooagh; and, (3) what steps the Government will take to relieve the condition of these poor people.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURAt the request of my right hon. Friend I will reply to this question. The Congested Districts Board inform me that the people of the village of Dooagh do not much rely upon fishing as a means of livelihood. The Board opened a fish-curing station there and kept it open for two seasons, and although they were prepared to purchase from the people all the cod, and other fish, that were caught, a sum of less than £5 was paid away for the purpose. I am informed that the cost of the undertakings mentioned in the second paragraph would be quilt beyond the resources of the Board, even 452 if they believed that the hope of creating a fishing industry in the locality would warrant heavy expenditure, and in the opinion of the Board, Dooagh is one of the least likely places on the West Coast of Ireland for the successful establishment of a fishing industry.