asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the serious consequences arising out of the closing of certain branch railway lines and stations, he will hold a public inquiry into this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Closing of Railway Branch Lines and Stations.
As I have explained to the House on a number of occasions a railway company cannot permanently discontinue a service of trains on any branch line until they have first obtained an Order from me under Section 9 of the Railways Act, 1933. Public notice must be given and ample-time afforded for interested parties to make representations.
A number of branch lines are at present closed temporarily under Emergency Powers Order. I am aware that the long-term policy of the board of Córas Iompair Éireann involves the closing of uneconomic branch lines and stations. No decision has, however, been taken by me in regard to any of these branch lines.
The position of branch lines was examined by the Tribunal of Inquiry on Public Transport which reported in 1939. The tribunal considered proposals by the Great Southern Railways Company for closing a number of branch lines and regarded them as acceptable in a general sense. They felt, however, that the matter called for more careful examination of the factors affecting each branch line before a decision could be reached to discontinue the service on the line. I have powers to arrange for the holding of an inquiry should I consider this necessary or desirable in the public interest before reaching a decision on any application for closing a branch line. Each application will be carefully examined and on the result of this examination I will consider whether a public inquiry would be warranted.