§ MR. HALPINI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Merchants Quay, Kilrush, was the property of the ratepayers of the county of Clare prior to 1846, and that in 1846 the late Colonel Vandeleur got permission to extend the quay for the public benefit under the Act of 9 Vic, cap. 3, agreeing that it would still be the property of the Crown; and, seeing that the late Colonel Vandeleur did not complete the extension, and in view of its present condition, whether he will take steps to have the quay given over to the county council as representatives of the ratepayers.
MR. BRYCEThe question of the ownership of the Merchants Quay, Kilrush, has recently been the subject of legal proceedings in which the Attorney-General for Ireland, on behalf of the Crown, was joined as a defendant. Judgment was given by the Master of the Rolls in Ireland, declaring the plaintiff, Colonel Vandeleur, entitled to the quay, and this judgment has been affirmed by the Court of Appeal. The Law Officers are at present considering the advisability of further appealing to the House of Lords. It is not in my power to have the quay given over to the county council as suggested by the hon. Member.