asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries to state if he will consider the question of making provision for the construction or improving of the pier on Inishfree Island, County Donegal.

The question of the construction of a pier on the island of Inishfree Upper will be considered when the section of the estate of the Earl of Mountcharles (also known as the Conyngham-Rosses estate), of which this island forms part, is being dealt with for purposes of resale to the tenants.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in 1924 £400 was granted for the construction of this pier?

Yes.

And that the money was expended elsewhere?

Yes.

For what reason?

I think I have answered that question on at least two occasions during the past twelve months. The tenants refused to recognise their liability for rents to the Land Commission and the latter refused to carry out any work until they recognised some portion of their liability for the rents.

I think I pointed out the real reason why the £400 was not spent on construction was that in 1924 a by-election was held and the people in Inishfree voted against the Government candidate.

The Deputy made the same statement before, but there was no by-election in Donegal in 1924.

Yes, we had a by-election in Donegal. Denis McCullough was returned in 1924 at the by-election.

In view of the fact that in 1924 £400 was sanctioned out of the relief Vote, and, as Deputy Blaney says, it was spent in other parts of the country, is the Parliamentary Secretary prepared to give an undertaking that this money will be spent out of the Vote to build a landing place in Inishfree?

No work could be undertaken until the islanders recognised their liability for the rents due.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary take into consideration the fact that as far as the islanders are concerned they are in very poor circumstances? Is the Land Commission going to penalise them?

I am perfectly satisfied that they are able to pay the arrears of rent.

May I point out to the Parliamentary Secretary that that is a different question altogether? The amount was sanctioned.

Sanction was got long ago.