HC Deb 20 November 1902 vol 115 cc24-5
MR. CAREW

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Local Government Board has been directed to the condition of the road leading from Ballybrophy Station to Rathdowney, Queen's County; and whether, in t view of the complaints of the presenl state of the roads in Ireland, he will be prepared to appoint a special inspector to report as to the manner in which the officials responsible for the roads discharge their duties.

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

The Board's attention has not been directed to the condition of this road. It is the duty of the County and District Councils, as the case may be, to keep all public works in good condition and repair, and to take all necessary steps for that purpose. In the event of default on the part of either local authority in this respect, the Board, upon receipt of a complaint under Section 82 of the Act of 1898 from the other local authority, would have power to make an order fixing a period for the performance of the duty. If the duty were not performed in the period so fixed the order might be enforced by writ of mandamus or the Board might appoint a person to perform the duty. The Department would have no power to take effective action upon the reports of a special inspector.

MR. TULLY

Has not the dilapidation of the roads become very serious in Ireland, and will the Local Government Board appoint an inspector to supervise the officials responsible for them?

MR. WYNDHAM

I have said that the Board would have no power to act on the reports of such an inspector.