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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Feb 1955

Vol. 148 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Youghal Bridge.

asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has received reports from the Lismore Board of Fishery Conservators and the Youghal Harbour Commissioners in regard to the damage that will be caused to fisheries by the erection of a bridge at Ardsallagh, Youghal, and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter.

asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has received reports from two engineering firms on the feasibility of reconstructing Youghal bridge, and, if so, and having regard to (i) the saving of £150,000 which would be made by carrying out the recommendations in these reports, (ii) the damage which will be caused to the town of Youghal by erecting the bridge at Ardsallagh, and (iii) the very conflicting natures of the different reports received, he will have this whole matter submitted for independent expert opinion.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 82 together.

All aspects of the Youghal bridge project were fully examined arising out of the evidence tendered at the public local inquiry and the further representations and reports made since then. The matters referred to by the Deputy were included in this examination. The authorities responsible for the new bridge are agreed that it should be sited at Ardsallagh.

The question of reviewing any decision taken in the matter does not, therefore, arise.

I would like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he has ever looked at that report of the public inquiry and if he saw the evidence that was given there? Is he further aware that the inspector at the public inquiry refused to consider certain evidence? Is he further aware that the Cork County Council, on one occasion at least, turned down the bridge at Ardsallagh and asked for reconstruction unanimously? Of course, I am prepared to admit that that was on an occasion when the gentlemen on the county council of all Parties were depending on the people's votes, on the eve of a by-election.

The Deputy will ask a question.

I am asking a question, Sir.

The Deputy is very well aware that following the results of a local inquiry held in 1952 the previous Fianna Fáil Minister for Local Government, his own colleague, Deputy Smith, was prepared to confirm the recommendation made by the inspector, namely, to proceed with the erection of the bridge at Ardsallagh. As a result of pressure brought to bear on the Minister at the time by Deputy Corry and members of Cork County Council an independent consultant was appointed and he was a native of the County of Cork, and that independent consultant confirmed the recommendation of the inspector, namely, that the bridge should be built at Ardsallagh. What further independent opinion could conceivably consider any further aspect of the case I do not know, but I do know this—and the Deputy will have to admit this—that were it not for his intervention at the time the bridge would have been built by now.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that on the certified statements of two consultants on this matter and an offer of a most reputable contractor to reconstruct that bridge for less than £250,000 this State and the ratepayers would be saved somewhere in the neighbourhood of £150,000? But, of course, that does not matter.

I am well aware that two independent consultants have confirmed the recommendations of the inspector who held the inquiry, that the two county engineers for Waterford and Cork agreed also, and that the engineering advisers of the Local Government Department confirmed the same recommendation. I do not know what further independent opinion can be expected to deal with the matter, but I do know it is about time they started to build the bridge.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there were no independents except the Ku Klux Klan? With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

If the Deputy persists in deferring a decision I hope he will indicate what he means by an independent expert opinion.

I want some independent opinion, not the opinion of the Ku Klux Klan.

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