asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding proposals before Mayo County Council for the provision of a new swing-bridge over the canal at Belmullet.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Bridge.
89.
Mr. J. Lenehan
Mayo County Council have sought sanction for the erection of a swing bridge over the canal at Belmullet. My Department is in correspondence with the council with a view to obtaining the information necessary to enable the matter to be examined.
Mr. J. Lenehan
I wonder if it is generally known that a consultant was appointed in 1938? As a long term member of that council, I have not yet seen even a plan for the bridge. It is only as a result of pressure in recent times that the Parliamentary Secretary has this information available to him. Is he also aware that because of the condition of the bridge it is costing CIE and all other hauliers a fortune? They have to use two buses or two trucks to get across this bridge. Can the Parliamentary Secretary bring some pressure to bear on this inept and discredited council to do something about that bridge?
It appears that it is very doubtful if the county council have any legal responsibility for the bridge.
Mr. J. Lenehan
The Government have no responsibility. It is on a county road.
We have asked the Mayo legal people to let us know what responsibility they have and, so far, they have not given a satisfactory answer.
Mr. J. Lenehan
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that no two officials of that council happen to be talking to each other?
That is a separate question.
Mr. J. Lenehan
That is the cause of all the trouble. The councillors are talking, but not the officials.
They are nearly as bad as the Fianna Fáil Party.
Mr. J. Lenehan
They are not Fianna Fáil at all.