asked the Minister for Finance (1) if he will state the present position with regard to the proposal to erect a pier or boat slip at Lehud, E.D. Ardea, and (2) if arrangements are complete for the repair and improvement of the Reenakilla Pier, E.D. Ardea.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kerry Pier.
As I am sure the Deputy is aware, I have no responsibility for marine works of the kind in question, except to the extent to which they prove to be suitable subjects for the relief of unemployment.
With regard to the suggested erection of a pier or boat slip at Lehud, Ardea, the position is that a scheme for the construction of a quay and the improvement of the approach road thereto was drawn up in 1943, but it had to be deferred owing to difficulty in securing the agreement of an adjoining landowner to the type of fencing required to the road through his lands.
Agreement was recently reached in the matter of the fencing, but owing to the length of time since the estimate for the marine work proper was prepared, it is necessary to arrange for a fresh survey of the site next spring by one of my engineers.
The position with regard to the proposed repair and improvement of the pier at Reenakilla, is that in February, 1950, the Kerry County Council notified my office that in future they would accept no liability for the reconstruction or improvement of piers or slipways which are not already their property.
So far as I am aware the pier at Reenakilla does not belong to the county council, and as the standard conditions under which grants are made for marine works provide that the county council concerned should contribute one-quarter of the cost, and accept responsibility for maintenance when the work is completed, I cannot do anything in the matter.