§ MR. HALPIN (Clare, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he has seen the resolution of the Clare County Council complaining of the unfinished state of the works at Liscannor harbour, the neglect of the contractor in connection with the same, and the consequent dangerous condition of the harbour; and whether he proposes to takes any steps in reference to the matter immediately.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell) The Board of Works inform me that they have received a copy of the resolution referred to in the Question, which was passed by the Clare County Council on 21st October last. The engineer to the Board of Works reported a year ago that the contract for the works had been practically completed by the contractors with the exception of the deepening of the harbour. Since that date some progress has been made with the excavation, and, as I informed the hon. Member on the 12th instant, the Board of Works are now negotiating with a view to taking over the completion of the works themselves. The Board will use their best efforts to get the works completed as soon as possible. In my Answer of the 12th instant I said that the Board were informed that the quarries are closed. The Board now ask me to say that though the quarries were closed for a 792 short time last spring, they are glad to learn from more recent reports that the quarries are still being worked.