asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he can state the original estimate of the Cork County Council for the repairing of one arch of the Shanow Bridge, Banteer; whether it was owing to the faulty repairing of this arch and careless supervision, that it and the two other arches of the bridge fell; further if he can state the amount of the second estimate, and the cost of the second reconstruction, and whether he will make enquiries as to the person or persons responsible for this heavy expenditure on the ratepayers.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - REPAIR OF SHANOW BRIDGE (BANTEER).
DOMHNALL O MOCHÁIN
The original estimate for repairing one arch of the Shanow Bridge, Banteer, was £400. The amount of the second estimate was £1,400, and the cost of the second reconstruction will be £1,531. I am satisfied that the collapse of the bridge was due to risking the stability of the arches remaining before the first reconstruction was undertaken and to the fact that the engineering difficulties arising out of the defective construction of the original bridge were not fully known when the first estimate was prepared.