asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if an application has been made to him by Córas Iompair Éireann for an order authorising the permanent closing of the Mountmellick-Portlaoighise and the Banagher-Clara branch railway lines; if he will state the company's attitude towards the future of these lines; whether they may be closed temporarily by the company for an indefinite period; and if he will direct the company to reopen the lines in question at an early date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laoighis and Offaly Branch Lines.
No application for an order authorising the permanent closing of either of these branch railway lines has been received by me. The position in regard to the permanent closing of branch lines and the company's policy in relation thereto was explained in a reply to a Dáil Question on the 12th June. The temporary discontinuance of railway services is governed by the provisions of Emergency Powers (Córas Iompair Éireann) (Reduction of Railway Services) Order, 1944.