asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that the constant refusal of the Cork Harbour Commissioners to maintain landing places and piers, which are their property and under their control, in Cobh harbour, viz. Aghada pier, Crosshaven, Cobh town and Admiralty piers, East Ferry, etc., has brought about a condition where these landing places are now both derelict and dangerous; that it is practically impossible to use them as landing places or berths for small steamers and other pleasure craft; and that these landing places were largely used for pleasure trips by Cork citizens and tourists viewing the harbour during the summer months; and if, in view of the fact that 75 per cent of the revenue of the Cork Harbour Commissioners is collected in tonnage dues from vessels using only Cobh harbour, he will take steps either to compel this body to carry out their maintenance responsibility or to dissolve them and appoint some person or body to carry out this work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Harbour Landing Places.
The Harbours Act, 1946, imposes on harbour authorities the duty of maintaining the harbour works under their control. The Cork Harbour Commissioners are the authority responsible for the landing places and piers in question, and representations concerning the condition of the works should be made direct to that body.
I am informed by the Cork Harbour Commissioners that they carry out regular and adequate maintenance of the landing places and piers under their control, having regard to the actual or potential use to be made of the facilities, and the revenue accruing from them. The Commissioners spent £3,500 on such maintenance work in the Lower Harbour in the past year, and they have decided to spend £40,000 on the reconstruction of the Admiralty or Town Pier at Cobh in the near future.
Is the Minister aware that the Harbour Commissioners did nothing whatever to maintain the piers which are now dangerous to navigation? You cannot pull in at any of them and the situation has been aggravated by the fact that since the partial close-down of the Youghal railway line, the cost of excursions has been increased by 50 per cent to 60 per cent.
The Deputy is making a speech, not asking a question.
I should like to ask the Minister if he is aware of the present condition of Aghada Pier and is he also aware of the——
You better say no more or he will pull up the pier as well as the railway.
I will put a pier in the Deputy's head. Is the Minister also aware of the condition of the Town Pier in Youghal, and the piers in Cork and in Cobh, where over 2,000 people have to leave every day to go to work in Haulbowline, and will he take steps to make the commissioners do their job or else get rid of them?
I have already said that £40,000 is to be spent on the Town Pier. In regard to the other remarks made by the Deputy, I see no reason to interfere with the operations of the Cork Harbour Commissioners. They work well and the Deputy should make representations to them direct.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.