asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries to state if the question of giving a grant towards the reconstruction of Portnablagh Harbour, Co. Donegal, has been considered by his Department; and, if so, what decision, if any, has been come to in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reconstruction of Portnablagh Harbour.
As stated in reply to a question by Deputy Law on 13th March, 1929, I am not yet in a position to state whether any grant from State sources will be available for the improvement of Portnablagh Pier.
Would the Minister take into consideration the fact that this is practically the only harbour in this district on which there is a pier head, also that the pier was built nearly eighty years ago, and that what is required is work very much more considerable than the county council could be reasonably asked to undertake? I think that the county council, at the instance of Deputy Blaney, has done a good deal in the way of marine works.
Is the Minister aware that when the Parliamentary Secretary and other officials were touring Donegal some time ago, a deputation headed by the parish priest of Dun-fanaghy, waited on the Parliamentary Secretary and put the facts before him? After the tour was completed a letter was written to Mr. Montgomery, who was a member of the deputation, stating that the Department would be prepared to pay a portion of the grant for the reconstruction of the harbour on condition that the county council would contribute a certain proportion. The Donegal County Council have offered to give one-third of the total cost, and in face of that, and in view of the fact that a letter had been written by an important official of the Department——
If I remember aright, the suggestion was not so much a question of repairs as of other improvements to the harbour. However, a new situation has arisen, as the county council has made a definite proposition and is prepared to spend money. The question is being considered by us as to whether we will be justified in asking the Finance Department to make a grant.
Is that question under consideration at present?
It is under consideration from the point of view of the county council's proposal.
In view of the fact that the Ports and Harbours Tribunal has not yet made its report, is the Minister prepared to submit Deputy Blaney's evidence to that Tribunal?
I do not think that this particular harbour came under the terms of reference of the Harbours Tribunal, so it would be entirely irrelevant on this question.