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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Feb 1952

Vol. 129 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conditions in Lacken (Mayo)

asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the very serious hardships endured by the Lacken tenants of North Mayo who are obliged to cross the Lacken strand knee deep in water on their way to Mass; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to remedy this deplorable state of affairs by the construction of a breakwater or by other means.

A proposal for the erection of a footbridge in the townlands of Castlelackan and Foghill to enable residents in the Kilcummin area to attend their religious duties at Lacken church has been received, but the nature of the work and its estimated cost place it outside the scope of the minor schemes carried out by my Office.

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary can he hold out no hope of any work being done there to facilitate these people? May I remind him that the people have to wade knee deep in water to cross the strand to get to Mass in Lacken church? Is there no scheme at all under which he can provide these people with the necessary facilities?

I would remind the Deputy that this has been going on for a very considerable time. The fact is that the estimated cost of either a cart bridge or a footbridge is so considerable that the Special Employments Office cannot undertake it. I take it that any money expended on it would be expended more on material than on the relief of unemployment.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary consider the erection of a defending wall to keep back the tide? That, perhaps, might be a more economical proposition than the footbridge. It has been put to me by the local tenants that, as the tide is not very strong at the point there, a defending wall would keep back the flood.

If the people put up that proposition it will receive consideration.

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