asked the Minister for Fisheries if he is aware that portion of the pier at Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry, has been washed away by the sea, and that if it be not repaired immediately the whole structure will very soon disappear, and in view of the fact that over twenty yawls and two seine boats land their catches there, will the Minister take steps to have this pier repaired at once.

I am aware that the seaward end of Ballinskelligs Pier has been washed away, and that the area in which this structure stands is subject to very considerable erosion. The pier is in the charge of the Kerry County Council, and is availed of by a number of local fishing yawls and seine boats. If the Council will put up a definite proposal for the repair by them of the damage in question, and will undertake to maintain the approach road to this pier, I am quite prepared to recommend a reasonable contribution from State funds towards the structural repairs.