asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state how many light-keepers are at present employed on Inistrahull Island, North Donegal coast, and if it has recently been established as a relief station; what provision has been made or is about to be made for their accommodation ashore; whether negotiations are in progress between the Board of Works and the Irish Lights Commissioners with a view to acquiring the unoccupied coastguard station at Malin Head for a shore relief station for the Inistrahull Lighthouse staff, and, if so, whether he will see that these negotiations are expedited, as this building is falling into disrepair and likely to become derelict, and the light-keepers put to unnecessary expense and much inconvenience for want of adequate shore accommodation.
CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - LIGHT-KEEPERS ON DONEGAL COAST.
It has been ascertained that six light-keepers are at present employed on Inistrahull Island, North Donegal, and that a relief station has been established there. Shore accommodation has not been provided for the light-keepers, but they are granted a lodging allowance in lieu of same. Negotiations were in progress last year between the Board of Works and the Irish Lights Commissioners with a view to acquiring the unoccupied coastguard station at Malin Head as a shore relief station for the Inistrahull Lighthouse staff, but as the premises were required by the Ministry of Defence the negotiations fell through. The negotiations have now been renewed with a view to leasing the old coastguard station to the Commissioners of Irish Lights.