§ MR. LECKY (Dublin University)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the ancient, ruin of St. Michael's Church on Skellig Michael, in the county of Kerry, is and has been for some time past in a very dangerous condition owing to the fall of the castle', or enclosing wall; whether the attention of the Commissioners of Public Works, Ireland, in whom this monument is vested under section 25 of The Irish Church Act, 1869, has been called to this fact, without any attempts having been made to repair the damage; and whether some steps will he taken (luring the present summer to save this primitive church from complete destruction?
§ *MR. HANBURYIt is the fact that, owing to the fall of part of the enclosing wall, St. Michael's church has been for some tune in danger of injury. When information of the fall of the enclosing wall reached the Board of -Works in 1895, orders were immediately issued for inspection by the superintendent of national monuments with a view to repairs. Owing, however, principally to the difficulty of access to the island on account of storms, the inspection was not, carried out at the time. A report has lately been made by Mr. Cochrane, one of the Board's Surveyors, on the subject, from which it appears that the fall of the enclosing wall has not as yet caused any actual damage to the walls of the Church as they stood immediately before the fall of the enclosing wall in 1895. Directions were given immediately on receipt of the report for the execution of works for the repair of the enclosing wall and fur restoring support to the Church wall. These works will be carried out in the present summer without delay under proper supervision.