asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he will state what portion of the cost of the completion and repair of the pier at Bunlough, Louisburgh, County Mayo, and the landing slip at Corraun, Achill, County Mayo, his Department will contribute, and whether he can state what proportion of the cost of these works the County Council will be asked to provide.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - REPAIR OF PIERS IN MAYO.
I am not in a position at present to say whether any contribution will be made towards the cost of improved landing facilities at Bunlough. Following on representations by Deputy Nally, my department got into communication with the Mayo County Council on the subject. Negotiations are still in progress.
A contribution of £100 has been promised to the Mayo County Council for repairing the landing place at Currane, Achill, provided that the Council expends £50 and agrees to keep the slip repaired in future.
Did not the Department promise about twelve months ago if the Mayo County Council contributed 50 per cent. of the cost of the Bunlough pier that they would provide the rest?
No. About March, 1927, we wrote to the Mayo County Council in connection with the pier, and stated that if they put up a reasonable amount of the cost and promised to maintain the pier we would give a contribution. We did not say what the contribution would be. We sent another letter in about a month, as we got no reply to that. About a month later we got a reply from the County Council saying that they were not prepared to make any contribution towards the work. That would be about May, 1927.
Would the Minister state the amount of the contribution that his Department will provide?
No, because it has not been decided. We want to see what the County Council will put up.