asked the Minister for Transport and Power the number of cruise liners which called at Glengarriff, County Cork during the years 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974; the condition of the pier there; and if his Department has expended any money on its improvement.

The number of cruise liners which called to Glengarriff in the years concerned was as follows.

Cork County Council have informed me that the pier has recently been improved by the provision of a new timber deck.

No funds have been provided by my Department for improvement of the Glengarriff pier which is the responsibility of the county council.

Is this not a scathing indictment of the Department of Transport and Power? The number of liners which called to Glengarriff was reduced to two last year and is down to one this year. A lot of this is due to the pier at Glengarriff. It has been neglected for a long number of years at a loss to the community in the area of at least £¼ million.

The pier at Glengarriff is not the responsibility of my Department. It is the responsibility of Cork County Council. They tell me that they have improved the pier by the provision of a new timber deck.

Is the Minister sure that Cork County Council are the proper authority to do it?

They are the responsible authority.

I am very glad to get that answer.