§ MR. J. MACVEAGHTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Local Government Board has been called to the condition of the road from Parkmore to Red Bay, county Antrim; whether he is aware that the Midland Railway Company ascribe the failure to provide adequate motor connection with the railway to the bad condition of this road; whether the damage to the roadway is done by raction engines, the owners of which pay nothing to the repair or upkeep of the roads; whether he can state the annual cost of keeping this road in repair; and whether, having regard to the effect upon the development of Red Bay and Cushendall, the Local Government Board will say what steps, if any, can be taken to make the owners of the traction engines liable for the damage done to the roads.
586 (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Local Government Board inform me that the road in question has at times been in bad condition owing to the destructive traffic in iron ore from the Parkmore Mines to Red Bay Pier. This traffic is carried on partly by traction engines and partly by farmers' carts, the owners of which contribute nothing towards the cost, about £815 per annum, of maintaining the road beyond their ordinary contribution as ratepayers. As the law at present stands in Ireland, owners of traction engines cannot be made liable for damage done to roads. I have no information as to the second portion of the Question.