HC Deb 10 February 1904 vol 129 cc1331-2
MR. COGAN (Wicklow, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that for some years past complaints have been made by the Harbour Commissioners and the people of Arklow of the condition of the harbour, resulting in periodical closing up of it to marine traffic; and that for the past five months vessels have been unable either to enter or leave the harbour; and whether, seeing that the Harbour Commissioners represent d to the Board of Works and their engineer the urgency of the matter, and that the engineer finished his survey a month ago, he can state whether the engineer has yet reported to his Board; and, if so, whether the Government is prepared to do anything towards putting the harbour in a safe navigable condition so as to save to the town its existing industries.

MR. WYNDHAM

The Report of the Board of Work's Engineer has been made to that Department and will shortly be before me. In the meantime it may be desirable to point out that the liability for the maintenance of this harbour is vested in the Harbour Commissioners, not the Government.

MR. JAMES O'CONNOR

Why has the Report been so long delayed?

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

Was not this defective work done by the Board of Works?

MR. WYNDHAM

asked for notice of the Question.