asked the Minister for Fisheries whether he will now issue instructions to have the bog road scheme submitted by the Trustees, Bawnmore Bogs, Johnstown, County Kilkenny, proceeded with, in view of the great inconvenience caused to the tenants while the roads are left in their present condition.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BOG ROAD, JOHNSTOWN (KILKENNY).
The bog referred to is situate on the estate of Lord Ashbrook and another, County Kilkenny, which was sold by the landlords to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The bog, which comprises 1,000 acres, was vested in trustees under Section 4 of the Act.
The Land Commission have inquired into and considered the question of making the proposed bog road, and have decided not to take any action in the matter.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the trustees in this case have exhausted their funds, and that there are seventy families involved? Could he suggest how this work is to be completed if the Land Commission is not going to do it?
According to my information, the trustees have certain funds at their disposal, and naturally it is their business to make this bog road out of the funds that they control. They are collecting rents from the tenants who used this bog. At all events, no portion of the relief grant has been allocated to the County Kilkenny, and, consequently, there is no money at the disposal of the Land Commission to make this road.
If the trustees are prepared to pay some of the costs, will the Land Commission give a grant-in-aid?
On the face of it, I say that it is a matter entirely for the trustees to make this road.