asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce (1) if it is a fact that the Derry and Lough Swilly Railway is to close down to-morrow; and, if so, (2) whether the reason assigned is the refusal of the Saorstát and Six Counties Governments to continue the subsidy paid in previous years; (3) if he will say what is the reason for his refusal to ask the Dáil for a renewal of the subsidy; (4) if he is satisfied that there is a satisfactory alternative form of transport available in County Donegal to meet the requirements of the community and avoid financial loss and inconvenience to the farmers, traders, and those engaged in the fishing industry; (5) if the railway employees resident in County Donegal have been exempted by him from the operation of the Unemployment Insurance Acts, and, if so, what steps, if any, he proposes to take to save the workers concerned from the consequences of not being entitled to Unemployment Insurance benefits; (6) whether he will consider favourably the continuation of the subsidy until such time as a Committee appointed by the Government, and partly composed of railway experts, investigates and reports upon the possibility of reorganising and placing on an economic basis the section of the line situated in County Donegal, in view of the serious consequences for the citizens of County Donegal as a whole which the closing of the line will involve; and (7) whether he will state what is to be the position in regard to the rolling-stock, buildings and other property of the State-owned sections of the line in the event of the Derry and Lough Swilly Railway Company ceasing to work them.
Private Notice Question. - Position of the Derry and Lough Swilly Railway.
The answer to the first part of the question is "No." The remainder of the question does not, consequently, arise.
Are we to understand from the Minister's reply that the Northern Government has agreed to give a subsidy this year?
The answer made to Deputy Cassidy depends upon that assumption.
Will the Minister answer item 7 of the question, as to what is to happen the rolling-stock of the Company when the railway closes down?
I have just said it is not going to close down.
Are the services to be fully restored?
A limited service, I understand, will be provided.
Is the Minister prepared to state to what extent the service will be restored?
To the extent of a goods service.
Is the Minister prepared to give an undertaking that, as far as the employees of the line who are working in County Donegal are concerned, the services of none of them will be dispensed with?
I can give no such assurance.
Will the Minister state whether or not the headquarters of the Railway Company will remain in the city of Derry?
Arising out of Deputy Davin's question, will the Minister consider the question of transferring the headquarters of the Lough Swilly Railway Company to Carndonagh?
As far as the policy of the Government is concerned, for a number of years they have given a subsidy to this Railway Company, and they have made no proper inquiries to see whether or not this Railway Company is working in an efficient manner. In view of that, I suggest to the Minister that the time is opportune to set up a Committee, partly composed of railway experts, to inquire into the whole situation, so that the railway may be put on a proper economic footing. I would strongly impress on the Minister——
I allowed the Deputy to ask an extraordinarily long question and it is not fair that he should now proceed to make a speech.
I shall be forced then to raise the matter on the adjournment.
If the Deputy raises any question regarding this matter on the adjournment, it is well that he should understand that, in the delicate situation in which the railway now is, I will not answer any question on the adjournment, or even attend to hear the matter discussed on the adjournment.
As the Minister says that the situation is delicate, there is only one assurance that I will ask— that, in view of the subsidy which is given, the services of any of the employees working in County Donegal will not be dispensed with.
I shall give no such assurance. In fact, I recognise that the situation is such as necessarily to call for the dismissal of a certain number of employees.
I merely wanted to ask the question that Deputy Cassidy has put. What provision will be made for the workers who will be dismissed as a result of the limited service?
That does not fall to me to determine. There is here in question only the economic working of a railway—how far the goods and passengers sent and carried over that particular line can maintain the line.
Does it not mean that these workers will be thrown on the dole?
There is no such thing as dole in this country.
Is the Minister aware that on a previous occasion when I raised this matter—about two years ago—I made certain charges in regard to mismanagement of the railway, which I am prepared to substantiate? We say that there has been mismanagement in connection with this line, and, if a subsidy is given, I would strongly impress upon the Minister the necessity for setting up a Committee to inquire into the working of the railway.
It was the kind of speech made at that time similar to this type of question that almost led to the closing of the line.
Is the Minister aware that we were prepared to substantiate those statements? He only sent amateur accountants to examine the books, and he did not inquire into the policy in connection with the working of the line.
If the Deputy considers himself a professional accountant, then my people are probably only amateurs.
I did not say anything of the sort.
This is an astounding development of my weakness in allowing discussion on this private notice question.
There are certain Donegal Deputies who have not yet asked a question.
Will the Minister agree to consult all the Deputies for the county regarding the future policy of the Government in connection with the working of this line?
No.
And especially the desirability, under the new circumstances, of having the headquarters of the line removed from the city of Derry if no subsidy is given by the Six Counties Government?
This is a privately-owned line. The question of its headquarters is hardly for me.