asked the Minister for Transport and Power if in view of the failure to improve the Bray road in order to accommodate its greatly increased use by private, public and industrial transport Córas Iompair Éireann will reconsider their decision to close down the services to a number of the stations on the Bray-Dublin railway which decision can only greatly add to the already dangerously congested transport conditions on the Bray road in addition to causing considerable inconvenience to travellers denied rail transport by this decision.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bray-Dublin Railway.
20.
Under the nrovisions of the Transport Act, 1958, the curtailment of services on the Bray line is a matter for the Board of C.I.E.
I may say, however, that the only stations on the Dublin-Bray line which C.I.E. have proposed to close are between Dublin and Dún Laoghaire. Traffic to these stations has been insufficient to warrant their inclusion in the new and faster services and they are not in any case contiguous to the main Bray road. In the circumstances I can see no grounds for the Deputy's apprehensions.
Is it not a fact that the general decision taken is going to cause considerable inconvenience to the residents in these stations, even though they may be only a small number, and is it not also a fact that that decision is taken not because of the Chairman's wish but because of Government policy that transport must pay its way? Is it not unreasonable to force further traffic on to the Bray road as a result of this policy?
The Deputy is making an argument now.
It does not force any traffic on to the main road because the stations to be closed are not contiguous to the Bray road, in the sense of what I understand the Bray road to be.
Could I ask the Minister if he has received a resolution from the people concerned asking for a sworn inquiry into the finances and administration of the Bray Railway?
That is a different question.
Has the Minister received that?
There have been a number of resolutions.
Question No. 21.
Is the Minister prepared to give consideration——
I have already called No. 21.
Can I get a reply from the Minister?
I do not propose to institute a public inquiry.
This debate could go on all evening.
Why cannot the Minister answer? Is it because he says they are not contiguous to the Bray Road?
Is it not a case that the Minister has received a deputation and he is not going to bother about it?
Question No. 21.