asked the Minister for Fisheries whether he has let, or is about to let, the Woollen Mart at Ardara to a private individual; whether this Mart was built as a shelter for the people to expose their homespun tweeds for sale at the monthly fairs; and whether he will make arrangements for this building to continue to be used for the purpose for which it was intended.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ARDARA WOOLLEN MART.
The terms of any proposed letting of the Tweed Market House at Ardara for industrial purposes will be submitted in due course to the Oireachtas for ratification in accordance with the provisions of the State Lands Act, 1924.
This market house was built at public expense for the convenience of weavers and buyers of homespuns in South Donegal, but owing to the falling off in the demand for these homespuns very little use has been made of the building for some years past.
Does the Minister not hope, as we all hope, that this demand for Irish homespuns will revive and is it not the function of his Department to have everything in readiness for that revival?
Of course I do hope for the revival, but the letting that has been suggested would be terminable at six months' notice.
Does the Minister mean to tell us that if once he gets a tenant he could get rid of him on six months' notice, especially if he has installed machinery?
I think he will have to accept the terms of contract.
Will the Minister not give an assurance that he will keep that building for the purpose intended, and not let it?
The Deputy has a remedy in the fact that any letting has to be submitted to the Oireachtas for ratification.
Has the Minister power to let, and, if so, where does he derive the power from? The Department are only trustees, and this was not built by public money.
It was built by public money.