§ Mr. O'MALLEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the importance of a motor service to Carna and Kilkerrin, Connemara, he would devote a sufficient sum out of the Development Grant to improve and steam-roll the roads between these places and the nearest railway station; whether he is aware that one-third of the lobsters sent away from the district are dead by the time the market is reached; whether this loss is due to the want of a quick and easy means of transit for the fish to the railway station; and whether he is aware that the fishing industry generally, and all other industries peculiar to the district, suffer in a like manner for want of suitable roads for the transit of goods, perishable and otherwise?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo portion of the Ireland Development Grant is now available for the improvement of roads. No application has been received by the Road Board for a grant towards the improvement of the road between Carna and Kilkerrin. The Road Board have intimated that they are prepared, within the limit of the funds available, to contribute towards the improvement of the road from Galway to Clifden viâ Spiddle, Carna, and Kilkerrin, and the county council have made an application for a grant in respect of the improvement of the section of this road commencing at Galway Urban Boundary and terminating at a point 1,265 yards north of the branch road leading to Costello Coastguard station. The application is now under consideration. It is a fact that large quantities of lobsters are despatched from the part of Connemara mentioned to English markets, and acceleration of traffic would no doubt greatly improve matters.