§ MR. JOHN REDMONDI bog to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the Navigation Works (Ireland Bill), introduced by the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), has been withdrawn; if he can state why this course has been taken and at whose instance; and if it is intended to drop all legislation on this subject during the present session; and, if so, why.
§ MR. BIRRELLI am aware that the Navigation Works (Ireland) Bill has been withdrawn. The decision to withdraw it was the act of the Government. I do not think it necessary or desirable to enter into the reasons which prompted that decision, but I may inform the hon. gentleman that the Government are considering the question of introducing a measure in substitution of the former Bill.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDIs it not a fact that the Navigation Works Bill was introduced by one Irish Department—the Department of Agriculture, and then withdrawn in consequence of the opposition of another Department—the Board of Works represented by the Treasury?
§ MR. BIRRELLThese internecine disputes are hardly tit subjects to be referred to in public.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDAre we to have these matters neglected because these internecine disputes between English boards?
§ [No Answer was returned.]
§ MR. MOONEY (Newry)Is it not a fact that the Irish Government decided last year that it was necessary to have such a Bill, and that a Bill was brought in by the Department of Agriculture and blocked by the Board of Works, and 419 that the same procedure has been adopted this year?
§ MR. BIRRELLThe hon. Member seems to be well aware of all that has happened, and I need not add anything.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)Was not one of the objects in introducing I this Bill to give Irish county councils the 'power of contributing—which they do not at present possess—to the erection of piers and public works in Ireland, and I should like to ask whether from the lack of that power some useful public works, such as piers, which are much needed by the fishermen, have not been erected; whether in view of the pressing need of these works being carried out, for which money has been provided, he will not see that the next Bill is pushed through, and whether the Prime Minister——
§ *MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is now asking four supplementary Questions. He had better put them down.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDHaving regard to the importance of this matter may I ask the Chief Secretary or whoever replies for the Government whether he will not take steps to proceed with the measure?
§ MR. BIRRELLI have already said they are considering the question and are quite prepared to introduce a measure in substitution for the former Bill, which will have the effect of carrying out the very admirable reforms suggested by the hon. Member for Clare.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI only desire to ask one Question. Is it not a fact that the pier has been designed to be erected on the coast of Clare, costing a certain sum of money, that the money has been provided, that it is there, but the work cannot be carried out because of the lack of power on the part of the county council which this Bill is to confer, and whether——
§ *MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member said he wished to ask one Question. He is now asking five.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDIt was only the second part of the first.