§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDETo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been directed to the condition of Courtown Harbour and Blackwater, county Wexford; and if he will have inquiry made as to what can be done to assist the fishing population of these districts.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The attention of the Department of Agriculture has been called to the condition of Courtown Harbour, the entrance to which was cleared of accumulating sand and stone last year. The cost of the operations was provided for by the Department and the county council in equal proportions. The sea outside Courtown is shallow, and an extension of the existing harbour is desirable; but the Department's contribution could only be a small part of the necessary cost, which would be very considerable. About fifteen row boats and a few vessels of about eight tons fish from Courtown. Coal is occasionally landed there. Under any circumstances periodical dredging would be necessary to keep the harbour clean of sand. There is no harbour at Blackwater, and hardly any fishing is carried on at that place at present. As the beach is an open sandy one, the construction of a pier harbour is the only possible project with a view to development, and, if there were a substantial local contribution, the Department would be prepared to further consider the matter.