asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the plans he has to develop the harbour at Clogherhead, County Louth.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clogherhead Harbour.
17.
I am awaiting a report from Louth County Council on investigations carried out by a firm of consulting engineers——
Does the Parliamentary Secretary consider that £6 or £7 per week is a living wage——
——who were retained by the council to advise on works which are required at Clogherhead harbour.
What does Deputy Barry Desmond or the Labour Party think is a living wage? Is it £6 or £7 per week——
Until this information is received and examined in my Department, I am unable to say what developments would be justified at this harbour in the fishery interest.
(Interruptions.)
I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to repeat the reply because I have not been able to hear it.
I answered the question in accordance with the instruction of the Acting Chairman in a clear and distinct voice. If Members on the opposite side disobey the Chair, that is not my fault. However, I appreciate that Deputy Faulkner is an orderly Member and I will oblige him by repeating my answer. The answer is as follows:
I am awaiting a report from Louth County Council on investigations carried out by a firm of consulting engineers who were retained by the council to advise on works which are required at Clogherhead harbour. Until this information is received and examined in my Department, I am unable to say what development would be justified at this harbour in the fishery interest.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the pier at Clogherhead is in a very dangerous condition? In view of the fact that fishermen and others in the area depend on it to obtain their livelihoods, would he deal with the matter urgently?
My information is that the pier is in need of repair. If the Deputy will ask the Louth County Council to give us the information we require—they know all about it—I will do the best I can.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that it is not just a question of repairs? The pier is in a very dangerous condition and the fishermen are afraid that if a storm comes it will be destroyed. Further, would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the work involved and the cost is far beyond the capacity of the county council? Will he take a personal interest in this matter to see that it is expedited?
Perhaps the Deputy would use his offices with Louth County Council and ask them to send us the information we require. Then we could possibly proceed further.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary been in consultation recently with the county council in connection with the matter?
The Louth County Council were requested to submit this information but for some reason or other it has not come to hand so far.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state on what date the county council were requested to send the information?
I do not know if I have that information here. In any event they were asked to send the details. There were negotiations in September, 1972, and August and October, 1973 but the actual date when the information was requested is not set out in my brief. However the Deputy can take it that the county council were requested some months ago to submit the information but for some reason it has not come to hand.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary will agree that, if there were discussions in 1972 and 1973, the least he could do would be to get in touch with the county council in view of the very serious condition of the pier?
It was explained to the council that the information sought was necessary before the Minister or the Parliamentary Secretary could accede to their request. The information sought has not been furnished by the council. That situation has obtained since August, 1973.
Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary would send them a reminder?
Yes, I agree with the Deputy's suggestion.
That is what I asked the Parliamentary Secretary to do—to get in touch with the county council on the matter.