asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention had been called to the action of the Great Southern Railways in closing down the railway between Monkstown and Crosshaven, County Cork; if he is aware that this action will cause serious inconvenience to the tourist traffic and consequent loss, and if he will be prepared to make representations to the railway company with a view to having the line kept open until at least the end of the tourist season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Monkstown and Crosshaven Railway.
I have no power to compel the Great Southern Railway Company to keep this short section of line open for traffic. I am informed that adequate alternative road services are available to the public, but I am conveying to the company the suggestion contained in the last part of the Deputy's question.
Has the railway company in this case complied with the obligations laid on it by the Railways Act? There are certain obligations laid on the railway with regard to closing the line.
Not in respect of this section.
It does not arise?
No.
May I ask the Minister if he is aware that the whole of the branch lines in West Cork are threatened in a similar fashion? While it does not exactly arise at present, may I ask him if he will consider making representations to the G.S. and W.R. Company pending the proposals he has in preparation to bring in in the autumn?
That matter is under consideration. In relation to other proposals of the railway company to reduce the services upon certain lines the sanction of the Department of Industry and Commerce is required, but in relation to this particular section that sanction is not necessary.
Is the Minister aware that serious hardship will be inflicted on many poor families in Cork City by reason of the fact that they will be cut off from enjoying five or six hours at the seaside by the closing down of this section? Very reasonable facilities have been granted by the Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway to enable the very poorest of the community to get to Church Bay—
Does the Deputy forget that he rose to ask a question?
I am asking the question whether the Minister is aware that great hardship is being inflicted on these people if the service is discontinued?
I have explained that I have no power to compel the continuance of the service.
Possibly the Minister is not aware that the Sunday service is a paying proposition.
Would the Minister consider it desirable to use his powers to hold a public enquiry before such a branch line is closed down?
There is no obligation on the railway company to secure the sanction of the Department of Industry and Commerce in relation to its proposals to close this section of the line. There is no power in the Department to compel them to keep it open. There are sections of the line in respect of which the railway company cannot cease or reduce the services without the sanction of the Department but this section is not one of them. This section is not covered by the Act to which the Deputy refers.
Can the Minister say that the cessation is due to the extra facilities granted to bus services?
Is it not a fact that the Minister can take powers under the Emergency Powers Act to prevent the closing down of the line if he thinks that in the national interests or the local interests it is necessary to do so?
I am not aware of that.
Is the Minister aware that the railway company can offer better facilities to transport thousands of persons to a given point than any other undertaking? The Cork, Blackrock and Passage railway have been able to transport thousands of persons on this section. I want to ask the Minister is he aware that there is no bus service that could possibly transport eight or nine thousand people to the seaside as the railway can?