HC Deb 06 July 1911 vol 27 cc1312-4
Mr. CRUMLEY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Local Government Board for Ireland has authorised the Enniskillen District council to erect sixty labourers' cottages; that the Enniskillen District Council gave the contract two years ago; and that, owing to a dispute between the contractor and his engineer, only eight of these sixty labourers' cottages have so far been built; and whether the Irish Local Government Board will authorise the cancelling of the contract by the Enniskillen District Council and its entrance upon a new contract that will enable the building of these cottages to proceed?

Mr. REDMOND BARRY

The facts are as stated, but the dispute was between the contractor and the council's engineer. On the 13th June the council decided to instruct their architect to give the contractor the legal notice required by his contract to proceed within seven days with the work where unnecessary delay has occurred. He was further directed to notify the council of every case of non-compliance, with a view to their taking over the works and procuring a new contractor. The sanction of the Local Government Board to this course is not necessary.

Mr. CRUMLEY

Will a new engineer be appointed?

Mr. CRUMLEY

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that James M'Aroe, labourer, of Ballylucas, county Fermanagh, whose dwelling had been condemned by the local sanitary authority as unfit for human habitation, was awarded a labourer's cottage by the Enniskillen Rural District Council over two and a-half years ago, and that the owner and occupier of the selected site and plot were paid compensation for the same two years ago; and will he state why the cottage has not yet been erected on the plot fenced off, and through whose neglect or default M'Aroe with his wife and six grown-up children are still obliged to live in a thatched hovel measuring 16 feet by 14 feet?

Mr. REDMOND BARRY

James M'Aroe's house was condemned as stated, and the cottage authorised to replace it is one of those which has not yet been built owing to some friction between the contractor and the engineer of the Rural District Council. The Local Government Board are informed that the council have decided that if the work is not proceeded with at once they will, at their next meeting, take over the building from the contractor.

Mr. CRUMLEY

Is it not the fact that the engineer is employed by the county surveyor at a yearly salary, and therefore how can he give his attention to the erection of sixty cottages?

Mr. REDMOND BARRY

I think the answer explains. The work is to be proceeded with at once. The council are to take the land over at the next meeting.