MR. PATRICK O'BRIENOn behalf of the hon. Member for the Northern Division of Dublin County, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that only one dredger appears to be at the disposal of the Board of Works for use in the small harbours of Ireland, he will consider the advisability of urging on the Treasury the 318 necessity of supplying the means of purchasing or constructing another dredger for such use, so that the small harbours referred to, many of which are almost completely blocked up with accumulations of mud and sand, may be dredged within a reasonable period.
§ MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHThe dredger referred to was bought out of the Development Grant funds, and its object was to reduce the cost of dredging. The responsibility for dredging lies with the harbour authorities, and there is no obligation on the Government or on the Board of Works to provide a "dredger.