§ DR. AMBROSE (Mayo, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is yet in a position to state when the marine works will be commenced at Innishlyre, county Mayo; whether he is aware that the Under-Secretary for Ireland addressed a letter to the Mayo County Council on 10th March, 1903, informing them that it was proposed to construct, out of the money provided under the Marine Works (Ireland) Act, 1902, a harbour at Innish-lyre, near Westport, which was to cost £40,000, and that, as a condition of the the work being carried out, the county council should agree to raise a county fund for the repair and maintenance of the harbour; and whether, seeing that the county council passed a resolution, on 12th December, 1904, agreeing to raise
† See (4) Debates, clii, 1146.684 such fund, and sent it to the Lord-Lieutenant on 30th December, 1904, he can explain the delay in commencing the work, seeing that the county council agreed to carry out their part of the undertaking.(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed that the facts are generally as stated in the first part of the Question, but it should also be added that it was a condition of the scheme that the Midland Great Western Railway Company should contribute towards the cost of a railway connecting their line with the proposed harbour at Innishlyre. I understand that the railway company withdrew from the scheme before the late Government left office, and the scheme was thereupon suspended. His Majesty's present Government have under consideration alternative schemes for the benefit of County Mayo, but the matter has not yet reached a stage at which I can make a definite statement on the subject.