asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the recently reconstituted Harbour Boards of Kinsale and Skibbereen (Baltimore) find themselves in a serious financial position owing to the fact of having no income from shipping during the war years; and if he will consider the making of a grant to these boards to enable them to enter on their new duties free from the debts incurred during these years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kinsale and Skibbereen Harbour Boards.
The accounts furnished to me by the Kinsale Harbour Authority show that their financial position was no worse on the 31st March, 1946, than it was on the 31st March, 1940. A grant has recently been sanctioned from the Employment and Emergency Schemes Vote for repairs to the pier and sea wall.
The liabilities shown in the accounts of the Baltimore and Skibbereen Harbour Authority for the year ended 30th September, 1945, are no greater than they were immediately before the emergency. The harbour authority were empowered in 1943 to collect rates on fish landed in the harbour but do not appear to have done so.
There are no funds at my disposal which would permit of the discharge of the indebtedness of these or other harbours.