asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that farmers in the townlands of Coonanna, Coomnahincha, Killurly East, Killurly West, Clahanelinehan, Dooneen. Deelis, Inchintrea and Foilmore cannot cart sea sand from Coonanna Strand owing to failure of the Office of Public Works to complete the construction of a bridge and accommodation road which was started in 1938; and, if so, whether he will take the necessary steps to have the work completed at the earliest possible date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kerry Bridge.
The work referred to by the Deputy was carried out as an employment scheme in 1938, and was satisfactorily completed at the time. Since then, however, it has fallen into disrepair, largely owing to the gradual process of erosion by sea action. A contributory cause has been the failure of the landholders concerned to maintain the watercourse which the bridge spans.
I will have the case again considered to see whether it could be made the subject of a further employment scheme.
Mr. Flynn
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, is he aware that the construction of the bridge was not completed at that time? The construction of the bridge and the roadway leading on to it was not done as part of the same project. The farmers agreed to maintain that section. The bridge is still awaiting completion and untill it is completed there is no way of getting to the seashore for the removal of sand which is so essential to the farmers in the district as a fertiliser.
My information is that it was satisfactorily completed at the time. It is my information also that the chief cause of the disrepair into which it has fallen is due to the fact that the landowners have made no attempt to maintain it. However, I shall look into the matter.