Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1929

Vol. 12 No. 26

Pier and Harbour Provisional Order Confirmation Bill, 1929—Second and Final Stages.

Leas-Chathaoirleach

I move:—"That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The Title of the Bill sets out:

Whereas the Buncrana Harbour Order, 1929, set out in the Schedule to this Act, has been duly made by the Minister for Industry and Commerce under the General Pier and Harbour Act, 1861, and the General Pier and Harbour Act, 1861, Amendment Act, as adapted by the Adaptation of Enactments Act, 1922 (No. 2 of 1922):

And whereas under the provisions of the said Acts the said Order is of no validity or force whatever unless and until confirmed by the Oireachtas.

The Order that you are asked to confirm is an Order for the appointing and incorporating of Commissioners for the Harbour of Buncrana, in the County of Donegal, and vesting the pier and harbour in them, and for the construction of works and the improvement, maintenance and regulation of the harbour.

Dr. Gogarty

What is the urgency about this matter?

Cathaoirleach

Does the Senator rise to oppose the Bill?

Dr. Gogarty

No, but I should like to know why we are summoned particularly about one harbour when there are other harbours which do not seem to be getting the attention that they deserve.

Cathaoirleach

A discussion on the Second Reading is really out of order unless the Senator desires to oppose the Bill, but, under the circumstances, as the Minister is here, I should be glad if he would answer the Senator's question.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. McGilligan)

The reason is that this is one of the most important fishing harbours that we have and it is in an extremely bad condition at the moment. Money that might be saved to the country is being lost by reason of the fact that boats have to go elsewhere. There is a further reason why we think that this harbour should have exceptional treatment. There is an old commitment—that a fixed sum of money should be given to this harbour from the Development Fund. That commitment was entered into before the war came on, and that fact, with the changed conditions, had to be taken into consideration. A special case was made by the people concerned for the Buncrana Harbour, and departmentally we are very definitely of the opinion that there is considerable urgency about the matter.

Question put and agreed to.

Standing Orders having been suspended, the Bill was put through its remaining stages, without discussion, and passed.