§ Mr. KERR-SMILEYasked whether the inhabitants of Rathlin Island depended solely on their small fishing boats to bring their stock farm produce and fish to the market on the mainland, and that there was no landing place for these boats on the island or at Ballycastle which could be used with safety except in calm weather; and whether the Government was prepared to provide accommodation for the boats at Rathlin and at Ballycastle?
The HON. MEMBERfurther asked whether the Antrim County Council had frequently expressed its willingness to cooperate with the Department of Agriculture in improving the harbour accommodation at Rathlin and at Ballycastle; whether the officials of the Department had recommended the Government to take action in this matter; and, if so, why had they neglected to do so?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThe Department of Agriculture are co-operating with the county council in arranging a scheme for the improvement of the landing facilities at Rathlin Island and Ballycastle, and it is the intention of the Department to carry out the scheme and to defray part of the cost.