To ask the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will state the cause of the delay in rebuilding of the destroyed bridges in the G.S. & W. Railway system at Mallow and Carrig, Castletownroche; Co. Cork; whether the directors of the company were responsible in any way for this delay; whether the work or rebuilding those bridges has yet begun; if not, can the Minister state to the Dáil when he proposes to get this work under way. Whether the Minister is aware that all classes of the community in this large area, Mallow to Waterford, are suffering very severely as a result of this branch line being closed down, and that it is absolutely essential that this service should be opened up and maintained at the earliest possible date?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - RAILWAY BRIDGES DESTROYED.
Repairs to the Mallow Viaduct have proceeded, as far as possible, pending accurate measurements being obtained. The railway company was unable to provide these, and they cannot be obtained until the debris of the fallen bridge is removed. This latter work was delayed by the Dock strike in Cork, and the flooding of the river, but is now being pushed on. The necessary measurements can be taken in a few days, and the steel work then completed in the contractor's workshops. Erection when the steel work is completed will not take a long time.
In the case of Carrig the tenders for the repair have been received, and a contract will be placed at once.
There has been considerable difficulty in coming to an understanding with the railway company in regard to the repair of these large bridges, but such difficulties are not now expected to cause delay. The public importance of expeditious and economical repairs is fully appreciated, and every effort has been, and is being made on the part of the Government to secure an early resumption of traffic.