HC Deb 30 April 1907 vol 173 c710
MR. HALPIN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in accordance with his hope to introduce a Bill at an early date, he will introduce a Bill to enable the Clare County Council to avail themselves of the money allocated to be spent on the fishing pier at Ballaghaline, comity Clare, so as to enable the work to be proceeded with early in the summer.

MR. BIRRELL

I had hoped to introduce before now a Bill for extending the power of local authorities to contribute to works of the nature referred to in the Question. Differences, however, have arisen between the Department of Agriculture and the Board of Works as to the authority to be charged with the execution of works to the cost of which the Department may contribute, and in the circumstances the introduction of the Bill has been unavoidably delayed. The matter is still the subject of negotiations.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the money for this pier was allocated seven years ago, that the delay in going on with the work is duo simply to I a technical difficulty, and in view of the fact that work is urgently needed by the poor fishermen in the district, will he see that the money is allowed to be spent this year?

MR. BIRRELL

I will do my best.