HC Deb 25 February 1901 vol 89 c1047
* MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Congested Districts Board for Ireland is prepared to carry out the improvements, which have already been sanctioned, at the landing place at Coonaloughey, county Kerry, and at what date work will be commenced.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WYNDHAM,) Dover

A grant for the improvement of the landing place at Coonaloughey was made in 1898. The attitude of the fishermen to the foreman in charge of the work became, however, so threatening as to necessitate his being placed under police protection. Work was in consequence suspended, and the Congested Districts Hoard have since declined to proceed with the undertaking.

* MR. BOLAND

May I ask if it is not a fact that local opinion was not allowed to have anything to say in this particular case, and whether, seeing that the work would be of great public utility, the Congested Districts Board would not be instructed to take it up?

MR. WYNDHAM

There are a great many demands made upon the Congested Districts Board for which a good case can he made out, and they all have to go through a process of selection, because the state of the public funds does not admit of all being dealt with.

MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)

Are we to infer from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that the local fishermen prevented the Congested Districts Board carrying out this work?

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. FLAVIN

That is the substance of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, Mr. Speaker.