Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Feb 1943

Vol. 89 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Carlow-Kilkenny G.S.R. Service.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that several passenger services on the Great Southern Railway, such as that on the Carlow-Kilkenny branch, are run at most unsuitable hours for people travelling to Dublin for one day's business, who are now compelled to remain in the city for two nights at great inconvenience and thereby increasing the draft on the food supply of the city, and if he will make representations to the Great Southern Railway Company with a view to arranging an early service to, and a late service from, the city, which would permit many people to do business in the one day and relieve the present pressure on bus services.

I am aware that the position is as stated by the Deputy. The present fuel position, however, permits only of the operation of one passenger train in each direction daily, and it is considered that the present arrangement whereby trains leave Dublin in the morning and arrive in the afternoon is best suited to the convenience of the public.

Surely, the Minister cannot suggest that a service to Dublin in the evening is more suitable than a service in the morning? People living within 100 miles of the City of Dublin, who want to do a day's business in Dublin, would find it far more convenient to have an early service up to the city and a late service back in the evening.

Only one train per day is possible. Under the present arrangement, the train leaves Dublin in the morning and arrives in the afternoon. If you reverse that, it will cause more inconvenience. I am quite sure the majority of Deputies will agree with that view.

Would the Minister consider having a train leaving the country in the morning, rather than leaving in the afternoon, and leaving Dublin in the morning as it is at the moment? That would mean only one night in Dublin instead of two.

There are as many people travelling from Dublin as into Dublin. The Deputy's suggested arrangement would cause as much, if not more, inconvenience in another direction.

What I am putting to the Minister does not involve any change in the train leaving Dublin. I am only suggesting that the train should leave the country in the morning instead of in the afternoon.

It is not practicable.

Then the trains are run for the convenience of Dublin people and not for the convenience of country people.

If the Deputy will examine the arrangement he will find that it works the other way round. I am quite prepared to say that any six members of the Deputy's Party will say that his suggestion is the wrong one.

Top
Share