To ask the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the great distress which exists in the connemara area due largely to the closing down of the railway line from Galway to Clifden, whether such distress will not be accentuated during the winter months because of the impracticability of carrying on even the limited coastwise communications now available, and whether, in view of this, he will get into communication with the Midland Great Western Railway and urge the Company to re-open this line to general traffic. Further, if he will state the reasons for the closing of the Marconi Wireless Station of Clifden (which had been opened since the middle of August) with the consequent disemployment of a large number of workers, and if he will use his best endeavours to have the station re-opened.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - DISTRESS IN CONNEMARA.
The Midland Great Western Railway Company is prepared to re-open the line from Galway to Clifden as soon as the Military Authorities are in a position to allow the necessary repairs to be executed. It is expected that the repairs will not take long to complete and that the Company can be authorised to proceed with them at an early date. The Postmaster-General will reply to the second part of the question.
The Clifden Wireless Station, which is owned by the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company, was extensively damaged by Irregulars a few months ago. Besides, the land lines serving the Station were maliciously cut down. I am having enquiry made of the Company as to the prospects of re-opening.