asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if in view of the long delay in having improvements carried out in New Ross Harbour he will state when the work will be commenced and what amount of money will be available for the work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Ross Harbour Repairs.
As I indicated in reply to the Deputy's question on 11th July, 1951, a grant of £5,000 was approved towards the cost of constructing a jetty at New Ross Harbour. The proposal for the construction of a jetty had been made by the harbour commissioners, who estimated that the cost of the work would be about £8,000-£10,000.
Following a survey of the harbour, which has been made by the Commissioners of Public Works, it has now been ascertained that the cost of a jetty to meet the requirements of the harbour would be about £38,000. I have asked the harbour commissioners to submit to me their proposals for the financing of the balance of the cost.
Will the Minister then be prepared to approve of a larger grant?
If that proposition is made by the harbour commissioners it will be considered by the committee which handles it.
If the cost has gone up I assume the grant will go up proportionately?
The Deputy must not assume that, but he will join with me in regretting that this was one of the Coalition's first economies. It could have been done a lot more cheaply in 1948.
It is going to be one of the Fianna Fáil economies now. It could have been done by them years ago, but was not.
We approved it in 1947.
Approved, but did not do it.
You did not do it in 1948 to 1950.