asked the Minister for Finance if in view of the bonus proposal to be offered on coal imported in Irish ships and in view of the fact that a number of the ships suitable for coal carrying sail to and from the smaller Irish ports he will take steps to have dredging operations carried out so as to remove the silt which is at the moment blocking the entrance of some of these ports.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dredging of Harbours.
The authorities in whom such harbours are vested are responsible for maintenance and dredging of the harbours and there are no funds generally available from which such work can be carried out at State expense. The State dredgers, if suitable in any particular case, are available for hire to the authorities concerned.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is he aware that the ss. "Admiral" took ground on the bar coming into Wicklow Harbour on the morning tide on 23rd ultimo and that she failed to get off at night on the night's tide, and the next morning it was found that her plates had started?
I do not see how that question arises out of this question. I could not be aware of a fact that has not been brought to my notice in the ordinary way.
It is making the position of all boats that are going to bring coal in very difficult indeed unless something is done to see that these harbours are dredged.
Does he know the reason of the grounding?