§ Mr. HAYDENasked will the Road Board undertake to give priority to the main trunk roads through the inland portions of Ireland before they commence making the tourists' road around the coast of Ireland as laid down on the map prepared by the Road Board?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe Road Board have sent to each County Council in Ireland a map indicating the roads, both on the coast and inland, towards the improvement of which they consider their first contributions should fee made. In selecting from those roads the portions which should be dealt with in the first instance the Board will consider any applications and representations which have been made, or may be made, to them by the County Councils responsible for the improvement and maintenance of the roads in question.
§ Mr. HAYDENasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what was the data before the Road Board before they issued their circular of the 9th February, addressed to the Irish county councils, that decided them to offer a grant for a motor road for tourists all around the coast of Ireland; what steps did they take to obtain the views of road authorities in Ireland concerning this 1862W coast road; is it their intention to administer the Act in the interests of motor tourists; and will they consider the desirability of having a representative in Ireland to advise them as to Irish views and Irish road requirements?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEBefore the Road Board issued their circular of 9th February addressed to Irish county councils they had before them applications from nearly all the county councils in Ireland. They have also had representations from the Irish County Councils' General Council and the Irish County Surveyors' Association. It is not the intention of the Road Board to administer the Road Improvenment Fund in the interests of any one section of this community.