Vol. 177 No. 3
asked the Minister for Lands if he is now in a position to state (a) the results of the discussions between his Department and the Office of Public Works on the proposals for the extension of the pier at Ballycotton, County Cork; and (b) whether the consultant engaged to advise on fishery harbours has yet delivered his report, and, if so, what his recommendations are in regard to Ballycotton.
50.
asked the Minister for Lands when a start will be made on the extension of the pier at Ballycotton, County Cork.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 50 together.
Discussions on this matter have been deferred pending consideration of the consultant's report which has not yet been received. I am not therefore in a position to consider whether a State grant towards the cost would be justified; I presume that in the absence of such a grant the responsible authority—the Cork County Council —would not be disposed to start the work.
Is the Minister aware that these proposals were first mooted about 10 years ago when Deputy Bartley was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture and was in charge of fisheries? We were told about discussions then with the Office of Public Works in the period in which Deputy O.J. Flanagan was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture.
The Deputy seems to be giving information.
I am dealing with a matter which has been dallied about with in the Department for the past 11 years.
If the Deputy wants information, he must ask a question.
The last statement I got here was from the Minister for Transport and Power, Deputy Childers, saying consultations were proceeding and a consultant had been appointed. How long does it take a consultant to go to a place like Ballycotton and advise whether or not we are fools to spend our money on it? We are entitled to some information.
Is the Minister aware that this consultant is a pal of Deputy Corry's?
I do not know who the consultant's pals are. I can assure the Deputy there were other places which had to be examined besides Ballycotton. It is impossible for me to assess the position until I have a complete report.
What other places had he to examine besides Ballycotton? What do you want a pier in Ballycotton for?
Arising out of the Minister's statement that this consultant was engaged in other places besides Ballycotton, would the Minister say if it was this consultant who recently took the depths and berthage soundings for Blacksod?
That is a separate question. It does not arise on either Question 49 or 50.
It was not the consultant in question.
