asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he will state when the people of Burren, Castlebar, may hope to be accommodated by the construction of a road (about one mile long) on the Kelly and Lucan Estates, which was promised them four years ago by an engineer of the Irish Land Commission.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CONSTRUCTION OF A ROAD IN MAYO.
An offer was made some years ago to the tenants to contribute towards the cost of road improvements in Burren, Castlebar, but as this offer was not availed of the scheme was abandoned.
Within recent years the roads in Burren have been improved free of charge to the tenants, and this district is now reported to be well served in this respect. It is not intended to expend public funds on additional accommodation at the present time.
No promise was made on behalf of the Land Commission as suggested by the Deputy.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the people referred to in this question have not a road on which either priest or doctor could travel if required, and that they have to be actually carried across the stream. Putting that against his reply that they are well accommodated with roads in the district it seems somewhat peculiar to me.
An inspection of the district was made a few days ago by an inspector of the Land Commission, and the report is that the district is well served and that the roads are in fairly good condition.
Nevertheless I was there over a week ago, and I am well aware that this extreme necessity arises.
A considerable amount of money has been spent quite recently for the purpose of improving the roads there.
That may rather seem to account for the answer.