asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has been made aware of the fact that the midday rail service between Clonakilty Junction and Clonakilty, running over the baronial guaranteed line of the Clonakilty Extension Railway, has been discontinued causing much inconvenience and delay to the traders, farmers and residents of Clonakilty in the delivery of Dublin and cross-Channel mails and traffic, and if, in the circumstances, he has taken any steps and, if so, what steps to have the service for which the ratepayers of that area are liable and are at present paying restored by the railway company.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Railway Service.
The Great Southern Railways Company made an application in April last, under the provisions of the Railways (Miscellaneous) Act, 1932, for authority to withdraw the 2.15 p.m. passenger train from Clonakilty Junction to Clonakilty and the 1 p.m. mixed train in the opposite direction. The company duly gave notice of their application in the Cork Press and also in the Dublin newspapers, and certain representations were made by West Cork Deputies but these representations did not relate to the withdrawal of the 2.15 p.m. train. In the circumstances an Order was made on the 7th October last, relieving the company from their obligation to run both of the trains referred to. I may add that the baronial guarantee in respect of this line expired on the 28th August, 1921, since when the ratepayers have not been called upon to bear any liability in connection with this line.