asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the Tralee Urban District Council's proposed housing scheme for Brogue Lane is held up pending the making of an abandonment order in regard to the Dingle Railway, and, if so, when it is proposed to make the order.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dingle Railway.
In June 1955 the Tralee Urban District Council indicated to the Department of Industry and Commerce that they wished to acquire land on the Tralee/Dingle branch railway line for a housing scheme. In reply to their inquiry about the abandonment of the railway they were informed that under the provisions of the Transport Act, 1950, C.I.E. were empowered to make abandonment orders in respect of railway lines in which transport services had been permanently discontinued.
C.I.E. were authorised in June, 1953, by an order of the transport tribunal, to discontinue permanently train services on the Tralee/Dingle line. Accordingly, the question of the abandonment of this line is now a matter for decision by C.I.E. Any inquiries should be addressed direct to the board.
I should like to draw the Minister's attention to the fact that the Tralee Urban District Council have been informed that the Minister could make the abandonment order.
I do not know who conveyed that information to the Urban District Council but it is not correct. It is C.I.E. who make the abandonment order and not the Minister. I would suggest that the Tralee Urban District Council would take the matter up directly with C.I.E., who have the authority to make the order.
The Urban District Council have made representations to C.I.E., who have said that the Minister could make the order.
And I am informed that C.I.E. have not received sufficient information from the Urban District Council.