To ask the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the Great Southern and Western Railway Company's quarry works at Lisduff Station has been closed since June, 1922, with the result that nearly 150 men are out of employment since that period, and if he will undertake to make representations to the Board of Directors of the Company with a view to having same re-opened and the men reinstated as soon as possible.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ ORAL ANSWERS. ] - LISDUFF QUARRY WORKS.
It is the fact that a considerable number of men have been out of employment for a long time owing to the closing of Lisduff Quarries. I have had representations made to the Great Southern and Western Railway Company on the matter, but the company states that it does not require to distribute ballast in its northern area, and cannot economically supply ballast from Lisduff for use in its southern area. Moreover, as the quarry is in an isolated district the company fears that the plant and hopper wagons would be damaged if working was resumed. In the circumstances there is no further action I can usefully take.
In view of the fact that the Railway Protection Corps have a good many men at that particular station I do not think the Great Southern and Western Railway Company are justified in their fears.
That is a matter of opinion.