asked the Minister for Finance if he can state what is the cause of the delay in the erection of the proposed lights in the harbours of Glandore and Castlehaven; and if he can state if it is proposed to have these lights erected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Glendore and Castlehaven Harbours.
The Cork County Council has not yet definitely signified its agreement to make the necessary contribution towards the cost of erection of these lights, and until they have done so and have acquired the two small sites required for them, no further progress can be made in the matter.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Cork County Council have not alone guaranteed to bear portion of the cost of erecting the lights, but have also guaranteed to maintain the lights if erected?
Mr. Bourke
Yes, I am aware of that.
Mr. Murphy
You are aware that the guarantee has been given?
Mr. Bourke
Yes.
Mr. Murphy
How does the Parliamentary Secretary reconcile that with the answer to the question, that no guarantee was given?
Mr. Bourke
I did not say anything about no guarantee being given.
Mr. Murphy
Will the Parliamentary Secretary listen to my question? Is he aware that the Cork County Council undertook to bear portion of the cost of the erection, and also undertook liability for the maintenance of the lights?
Mr. Bourke
In my answer to Deputy Wolfe's question I relied on a letter that the Secretary to the Minister for Fisheries received on 4th January, 1928, from the late Secretary to the Cork County Council. The letter is as follows:—
I have been directed by the Cork County Council to inform the Department of Fisheries that the County Council, on the motion of Councillor T.J. Murphy, T. D., passed the following resolution:—"Resolved: That in accordance with the offer of the Department of Fisheries to defray half the costs, viz.: £200, for the erection of lights at the entrance to Castlehaven and Glandore harbours, the council authorises such lights to be erected, and that the remainder of the cost be defrayed out of the County Fund."
That letter is signed "E. Callanan."
Mr. Murphy
Does not that letter bear out the line that I have taken in putting my supplementary questions, that the Cork County Council did give that guarantee?
Mr. Bourke
I am merely saying that they were responsible for half the cost.
Mr. Murphy
And they have agreed to contribute that half.
Mr. Bourke
They have not agreed. They are wriggling out of it now. They have not signed the agreement.
Mr. Murphy
This is a very involved matter. The official responsible for the letter read by the Parliamentary Secretary is no longer secretary to the county council. The man is dead, but there is no question whatever about the guarantee being given as well as a guarantee for the maintenance that was given in response to a deputation from the districts concerned.
Mr. Bourke
But they will not sign the agreement.
Mr. Murphy
The agreement has never been submitted to the county council.
Mr. Bourke
We have letters to the contrary, but I cannot quote them now.