asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the importance of Lough Corrib for the development of tourism in the West, he will recommend to An Bord Fáilte that a special grant be made available for the erection of three swivel bridges instead of the proposed fixed structures on the Eglington canal, thereby ensuring (a) that the future development of the Corrib will not be jeopardised and (b) that the already heavy burden of local taxation will not be further increased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lough Corrib Bridges.
The erection of these bridges is the responsibility of the local authority. There is provision for a State contribution through the Department of Local Government towards the cost of work of that kind and I do not think it would be appropriate that An Bord Fáilte should also be asked to contribute.
In view of the fact that the erection of these three fixed bridges will cut off the Corrib basin and all the beautiful islands in the Corrib from the sea for all time, would the Minister not consider it a decent gesture on the part of An Bórd Fáilte to pay portion of the cost of erecting swivel bridges, so that at a later period, when tourism has been properly developed, people will have access to the Corrib and to these islands from the sea—from Galway Bay?
So far as I know, it is a matter entirely for the local authority. The Galway Corporation, I understand, approves the erection of fixed bridges. There is no tourist interest in the canal, which, in any case, is silted up, but the matter was fully considered as far back as 1949, when my predecessor made the Order which authorised the abandonment of the swivel bridges.
I do not want to suggest that I am criticising the Minister in this regard. I feel, however, that the local authority bears a heavy burden of responsibility to future generations and, in these circumstances, would it be possible, even at this late stage, for the Government to suggest to the local authority that they should reverse their decision and erect swivel bridges?
There is a grant for the erection of these bridges from the Department of Local Government, and, so far as I know, that grant is independent of the decision of the local authority as to the type of bridge to be erected.