asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that prosecutions are pending, at the instance of the Dublin and South-Eastern Railway Company, against a number of labourers for removing sand from the foreshore at Killiney, Co. Dublin, under railway bye-laws dealing with sand below high-water mark, and whether he will use his good offices to obtain a settlement of the matter which will not deprive these men of their means of livelihood.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - REMOVAL OF SAND FROM KILLINEY FORESHORE.
The Minister for Industry and Commerce is not aware that any prosecutions are pending, but understands that some persons were recently fined in proceedings at the instance of the Dublin South Eastern Railway Company for removing sand from the foreshore at Killiney. The removal of sand from this foreshore constitutes a danger to the port of Dublin, to the railway, and to public interests generally, and is for that reason prohibited by law. It is essential that the law should be complied with in this matter, and the Minister for Industry and Commerce has no power and would not be prepared to intervene in the matter.
Has there been a new regulation made with regard to this subject? Is the Minister aware that this practice has been going on with some authority for many years, and that some new offence seems to have been created by the action of the Company or the Department?
Mr. HOGAN
I am not aware of the fact. I do not know whether this has been going on for years, but I do know that the law is as stated in this answer.