To ask the Minister for Defence if he is aware of the hardship caused by unemployment and irregular employment of railway milesmen and others as a result of repeated attacks on the railway system in the Killarney area, and whether he can hold out any assurance that sufficient protection will be afforded to the railways in this area to prevent or appreciably to minimise the occurrence of such attacks.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ ORAL ANSWERS. ] - ATTACKS ON RAILWAYS.
The Minister for Defence has asked me to read his reply to this question:—
In December last inspection was carried out of the Killarney Branch (Mallow to Killarney) between Mallow and Rathmore, and Banteer and Newmarket, with the view to the opening up of these sections. As a result of this inspection it was decided that the Corps should first take in hand the repair and opening of the line Mallow to Newmarket. On the 15th January, 1923, this section was opened for traffic, but again closed (from Banteer to Newmarket) on the 17th January, and finally re-opened on the 25th January, and has been kept open since.
The work of re-opening the line west of Banteer, i.e., to Killarney, was then proceeded with, but, owing to the military situation in the area and the extent of the damage to the permanent way, it has not been possible to advance repairs on this section beyond Rathcoole to date.
It is anticipated that the work of repair will have extended to Millstreet in the course of a few days.
The line is open to Killarney from the Tralee side, and the work of the Railway Corps is being concentrated on completing the re-opening of the line between Killarney and Rathcoole.
I am not in a position to specify a date by which this line will be in running order, but every attention is being given to it. The work is receiving suitable attention.