§ 42. Mr. LYNCHasked the President of of the Board of Trade whether he can state the conditions under which permission was given to the Limerick Harbour Commissioners to truss the Wellesley Bridge at Limerick in such a way as to block the river traffic; whether he is aware that the obstruction so caused has pre vented boatmen from West Clare from carrying turf to its due destination; and what steps will be taken to induce the Harbour Commissioners to reopen the waterway as soon as possible?
Mr. ROBERTSONThe Board of Trade-informed the Harbour Commissioners on 28th October, 1911, that they would offer no objection to the trussing of the bridge for a limited period upon the following conditions: (1) That the Commissioners gave an undertaking to pay the cost of extra cartage entailed by the closing of the bridge. (2) That the "lie-by" below-the bridge was made safe for the turf boats by the placing of timber baulks across the lower entrance. (3) That the Commissioners gave an undertaking to take steps forthwith to carry out the repair or rebuilding of the bridge and to obtain all necessary powers for the purpose. The Board are informed by the Harbour Commissioners that since the bridge was trussed and fixed twenty-three turf boats have landed cargoes, as compared with sixteen in the previous year, and that the Commissioners are prepared to pay compensation to any owner of turf boats for any extra cost incurred in carting the turf from the substituted place of landing below the bridge. I understand that the Commissioners are still considering the question of rebuilding the bridge, and that they have been in communication with the Limerick Corporation and the county councils of Clare and Limerick with a view to obtaining financial assistance towards the cost.
§ Mr. LYNCHIs the hon. Gentleman aware that for a whole year this great waterway has been blocked for the convenience of a few rich people in Limerick, and to the detriment of the hard-working folk of the district?