§ Mr. DEVLINasked whether the only landing pier for boats at Ballycastle, county Antrim, is a small pier which is owned privately, and which was partly destroyed by a storm last autumn; that the people from Rathlin Island have had to wade through the water to get ashore; whether the coroner's boat was nearly capsized, and the coroner obliged to jump out of it; whether the coroner complained of this to a Board of Trade inspector specially sent to make inquiries as to the condition of the pier; whether any complaints have been received by the Department as to the condition of the pier and the want of proper landing accommodation for the public; and what action, if any, the Department is taking in the matter?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLThe Department are aware that there is a small boat pier at Ballycastle, county Antrim, which is vested in the county authorities, and is consequently open to the public. There is also a private pier or jetty. The Department understand that an officer of the Board of Trade visited Ballycastle in February last, and was informed that two boats when approaching the landing place had been sunk by striking the stones, and that the occupants (of whom it was not stated that the coroner was one) had been obliged to wade ashore. Representations have been made to the Department respecting the inadequacy of the landing facilities, and some years ago they contributed to the cost of repairing the public boat pier. Further improvement is undoubtedly desirable, and the matter is under the consideration of the Department, who are in communication with the local authorities.