asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the train service on the Banteer-Newmarket line is most unsatisfactory because it does not give any daily facilities to the residents of the towns and districts of Kanturk and Newmarket who desire to transact business in Mallow or in Cork City; and if so, if he will consider the desirability of urging Córas Iompair Éireann to give a connection to Newmarket, from the 6.30 p.m. train ex Cork; if he is further aware that the only daily train connecting Newmarket with Cork City arrives in that city at 12.40 p.m. and departs from the city at 2 p.m., thus leaving no time to passengers to do business unless they remain overnight in Cork; and if he will have this position remedied.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Railway Facilities.
The arrangement of time-tables and similar matters of administrative detail are the responsibility of the management of Córas Iompair Éireann. I cannot undertake to make representations to the company concerning them. It may be assumed that such representations when made by responsible local persons will have full consideration.
I understand that there are at present two passenger train services and one omnibus service each way daily between Newmarket and Cork. I am informed that the provision of a connection as suggested in the question would require the use of an additional engine, which the company are not at present in a position to provide.
Is the Minister aware that at the moment there are two redundant trains on the line between Banteer and Newmarket? Could he not do away with the redundant train service and substitute one that will be a sensible and reasonable mode of transport for the people who want to do business in Cork?
The matter is one primarily for the management of the company.
Is it the object of Córas Iompair Éireann to make this line a non-paying concern, so that they might later on have it taken off the list altogether? That seems to me to be the whole object of the unsatisfactory service on this line.