asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of repairing the damage caused to Howth harbour in last February's gales; when steps will be taken and be completed to repair the damage; the extent to which the harbour walls may have been damaged by explosions in recent years within the harbour; and if the harbour walls will now be thoroughly examined and repaired.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Howth Harbour Damage.
23.
The estimated cost of repairing the damage to the seaslope at the East Pier, Howth, is £7,000. The repairs are being put in hands and it is expected that they will be completed in about two months time. The harbour walls have not been damaged by explosions.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that many engineers are of the opinion that the explosions in the harbour in recent years may have had an unsettling effect upon the harbour walls or binding material in the harbour walls? Will a thorough inspection now be carried out of the entire harbour walls, particularly the slope on the eastern side, so as to ensure that any precautionary work as may be necessary will now be taken rather than suffer more substantial damage like that which occurred in February of this year?
The Deputy's anxiety concerning the beliefs of other engineers in regard to this matter need not be entertained, because the Government engineers whose business it is to find out precisely the nature and extent of damage, if any, caused by the blast operations in the harbour indicate that no such damage has occurred. I think it is reasonable to believe that their inspection of the details in this case would be more reliable than hearsay from engineers who have not got this specialised knowledge.
The mighty sea will prove you wrong.