asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether it has been decided to close down the Lough Swilly Railway Company's rail service, and, if so, whether he will take steps to ensure (a) that employees in the Donegal section will not be victimised in regard to alternative employment; (b) that the railway stations at Bridgend, Buncrana and Letterkenny will continue to be used as depots for road transport, and (c) that, as 90 per cent. of the company's business is in Donegal, the company will transfer its headquarters from Derry to a centre in Donegal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lough Swilly Railway.
The Derry, Lough Swilly Railway Company have applied for an Order under Section 9 of the Railways Act, 1933, authorising the termination of their rail services. I have referred the matter to the Transport Tribunal for advice. Public notice will be given and an opportunity afforded to interested parties to make their representations, before any decision is reached.
In the event of the company's rail services being terminated the provisions of sub-section (4) of Section 9 of the Act would apply and employees rendered redundant would be entitled to compensation if they are not transferred to alternative employment. The conditions of service of the company's employees are settled by agreements between the unions and the company and should there be any grievance in regard to alternative employment the matter would be one for consideration by the negotiating machinery.
I have no functions in regard to the other matters referred to in the question.
In regard to the number of rail workers who may wish to transfer to the road services, bus or lorry, is the Minister aware that under the Safeguard of Employment Act, which operates in the Six Counties- and this is a Six County controlled company—there may be a danger that this Safeguard of Employment Act may be used to keep Donegal workers out of employment on the bus and lorry services?
I have no information upon that point. Under our legislation, any workers unemployed by reason of the closing of the railway line would be entitled to compensation if not receiving alternative employment.
Yes, but most of these buses and some of the lorries ply into Derry in the Six County area.