asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that no effort has yet been made by the local authority to protect the Abbey Burial Ground at Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry, from the inroads of the sea; and whether, in view of this fact, and that these conditions have prevailed there for the past four years, his Department will take effective Steps to protect the bodies of the dead that are interred in this burial ground.

The protection of this burial ground is not a function of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, but of the local authority. I understand that a contract for the building of a protecting wall was entered into by the Kerry Board of Health and Public Assistance on the 28th October, 1929. The Commissioner, however, found it necessary to determine this contract on the 26th January, 1931. He is considering other proposals.