asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will have the decision to close down the G.N.R. line from Dundalk to Bundoran reconsidered.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dundalk-Bundoran Railway.
The decision to which the Deputy refers was taken by the Six County authorities and every effort has been made to induce reconsideration. When definite notice was given by the Minister of Commerce in Belfast that it was proposed to close the common service line in question and other common service lines at the end of September this year the Government decided that there was no practicable alternative to accepting the Six County decision.
Is the Minister not aware that the closing of this line will aggravate the redundancy that will ensue in Dundalk Works and that it will prevent the steady flow of goods to the north-west from Dundalk and other towns? Is he further aware that the tourist traffic to Bundoran and Donegal, 70 per cent. of which travels by rail, will be very adversely affected? Another thing to consider is the fact that insurmountable and interminable delays will be occasioned at customs borders if all the traffic carried at present on the rail is diverted to the roads.
I am aware of all these things.
And still the Minister has decided to close down this line?
I have made it quite clear that you cannot get out of this difficulty by passing resolutions about it. This is not a matter under our control.
I suggest that the Minister has the option of keeping this line open.
The Deputy must ask a question, not make a speech.