§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that, owing to complaints as to the condition of Liscannor Harbour, the Irish Board of Works undertook alterations and improvements which, amongst other things, involved dredging and deepening by a patent rock-boring apparatus; that a dredger with the apparatus affixed was a few months ago sent to the harbour, and that it accomplished considerable dredging and some boring, when it broke down; that for some weeks the dredger, crew, and staff were at Liscannor doing nothing, waiting for renewal parts which never came, the wages and expenses of the crew going on, until all 1806 the money voted for the purpose was exhausted, when the dredger was taken away and the staff recalled, leaving the harbour in an incomplete state and in a much worse condition than before the work was undertaken; and would he say what action was to be taken in the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLWorks of improvement have been carried out at Liscannor Harbour, including, among other things, dredging out of silt and cutting away of rock. The hon. Member is correct in stating that owing to the exhaustion of the funds allotted for this purpose less rockcutting was carried out than originally intended, and that the rockcutting machinery broke down several times in consequence of the peculiar character of the Liscannor stone. The crew of the dredger were not idle while the machinery was out of action, as they were employed on other works of improvement in the harbour, and during this time a reduced charge was made, including nothing for the hire of the dredger.
§ Mr. LYNCHDoes it occur to the right hon. Gentleman that this method of dealing with public works savours less of a responsible Government than of comic opera?
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether it was as a result of the manner in which the works at Liscannor Harbour were carried out that a steamer belonging to a large firm of quarry owners who constantly use the harbour was seriously damaged whilst lying in the harbour, and a claim for heavy damages for repairs made against the Irish Board of Works and the Clare County Council; and whether, in consequence of this claim, officials of the Board of Works had since visited the harbour and caused a notice to be posted that it is unsafe, and that any vessels using the harbour do so at their own risk?
§ Mr. BIRRELLA claim has been made as stated in the question, and the matter is now sub judice. The notice referred to has been posted by the Board of Works.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that the effect of the notice posted at Liscannor Harbour declaring it unsafe had been to render it impossible to secure any vessels for the trade of the port, and that the firm of quarry owners employing several hundred workmen in the quarries of the neighbourhood had been obliged to reduce their men to 1807 half time, owing to the accumulation of stocks of stone, which could not be shipped, notwithstanding that they had orders and contracts in hand requiring urgent deliveries of the stone, for which, in consequence of these happenings, it was impossible for them to obtain vessels; and whether he could state what the Government proposed to do to render the harbour safe and put it in an efficient condition to enable the trade of the port to be carried on and prevent a complete stoppage of the quarries, and hence of the bulk of the industry of the locality?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. I am informed that a vessel belonging to the firm of quarry owners referred to entered the harbour on 27th October, loaded a cargo and cleared. As I have already informed the hon. Member the question of further improvements is now under the consideration of the Irish Government.