asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of serious damage caused to boats and fishing gear by ground swell and storms at the pier, Clare Island, County Mayo, through lack of a breakwater, and if he will take immediate steps to have a breakwater of the necessary dimensions erected and the surface of the pier repaired.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clare Island Breakwater.
A proposal was under consideration some years ago for the erection of a breakwater at Clare Island Harbour to enable motor boats to lie safely at anchor in the harbour, but it was found that the cost of the work placed it outside the scope of employment schemes.
I understand that the pier is in the custody of the Mayo County Council, and the proposed repair of the structure is, accordingly, a matter for the county council.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, apart from the employment that the scheme would give, the population of Clare Island is falling year by year? One of the principal causes why the population is falling is that the people are getting no assistance in this way. I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to reconsider the decision that he has just given and not try to pawn over the matter on the Mayo County Council. I would ask him to undertake the erection of a breakwater for the sake of saving the people's boats and fishing gear.
There is no question of pawning over anything on the Mayo County Council that we can carry out legally, but the Mayo County Council at all times have been one of the most unco-operative county councils in regard to matters of this kind.
That is not true.
It is definitely true.