§ MR. J. P. FARRELLOn behalf of the honourable Member for North Donegal, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether steps have been taken to advertise for fresh tenders for the Carndonagh Railway; whether, pending the making of the contract, the Board of Works will take steps to proceed with the acquisition of the land, as they are entitled to do under their contract with the Lough Swilly Company; and whether he is aware that in many cases the land to be taken has not been cropped owing to the fact that notices have been served for the taking of the land under the Lands Clauses Act?
§ MR. HANBURYThe tenders received in answer to advertisement being all in excess of the amount set apart for this railway out of the funds available under the Railway Act, 1896, it is hoped that more reasonable terms may be obtained by negotiation. Failing a satisfactory arrangement by this means, advertisements will be issued for fresh tenders. Under the agreement with the railway company, the purchase of land forms part of the expenditure to be included in the contract for which tenders are invited. In ordinary course, therefore, no steps could be taken for the acquisition of land until the contract has been settled. The Board of Works have no information upon the subject of the last paragraph.
MR. T. M. HEALYAS complaint has been made as to the limited character of the advertising, will the right honourable Gentleman take care that, if in this case there is to be a further tendering, general means will be taken to acquaint contractors with the fact?
§ MR. HANBURYYes, I will see to that.