§ MR. FETHERSTONHAUGHTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any tolls are charged to vessels navigating the Shannon between Limerick and Carrick-on-Shannon; will he state the number of boats, other than pleasure-boats or steamers for excursionists, which passed through the Athlone lock in the present year, if any record is kept; and has he received any representations from traders in Carrick-on-Shannon or elsewhere complaining of the navigation charges or tolls.
(Anewered by Mr. McKenna.) I am informed that (1) Tolls are charged on the Shannon Navigation on vessels passing between Limerick and Carrick-on-Shannon in accordance with the schedule to The Canal Tolls and Charges Act, 1894 278 57 and 58 Vic., c. 206). Tolls are not charged in respect of the lakes forming part of the navigation, though those lakes are buoyed and marked at considerable expense to the navigation funds. (2) From the records kept it appears that the number of boats and steamers that passed through Athlone lock from 1st January, 1906, to 25th November, 1906, exclusive of pleasure boats and excursion steamers, was 1,129. (3) No representations from traders in Carrick-on-Shannon or elsewhere have been received by the Board of Works complaining of the navigation charges and tolls.