To ask the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that acute distress is prevalent in Cahirciveen in consequence of the crippling of the fishing industry, and whether he will consult with the Departments concerned as to pushing forward useful public works, such as the repairing of roads and the re-building of the County Bridge, which was long since condemned, with a view of relieving the distress.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - DISTRESS IN CAHIRCIVEEN.
The Minister for Industry and Commerce has asked me to deal with this question. I am aware that much distress has prevailed in Cahirciveen in consequence of the disorganisation of the fishing industry at that place, owing to the unsettled state of affairs in the district since the summer of last year. The value of the fish landed at Valentia, which is the landing place for Cahirciveen, was £4,000 in 1922, as against £14,127 in 1921, no fish having been landed there since 1st July, 1922. The boats which normally would have been employed at fishing have been more or less engaged in carrying cargoes of food, etc.
The railway service at Valentia has not yet been restored. Assuming, however, an early restoration of that service, the prospects of the local fishing industry for the current year may be described as fair.
The preparation of schemes for useful public works is not a matter within my purview. I am, however, taking it up with the Ministry of Local Government.