asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he has approached British Railways with a view to having the Waterford-Fishguard passenger service resumed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford-Fishguard Passenger Service.
24.
I have received no representations about the resumption of the Waterford-Fishguard passenger service, which was terminated following an agreement made between British Railways and the local Waterford interests concerned in 1959 and I have not approached British Railways on the subject.
I have been asked by several people in Waterford— influential people—and would the Minister now tell me is it the intention of the Department of Transport and Power or the Minister for Transport and Power to make representations to British Railways, now that they are going to build a new ship?
It is not.
Would the Minister not consider that he should do this? This is another thing taken away from Waterford and something we are endeavouring to have restored.
Apparently, there was not sufficient support for the services up to 1959; the number of passengers was declining steadily and there was an annual loss in operating.
Is the Minister aware that the number of passengers was not declining but that the boat put on was not suitable, and is he aware that if the Minister for Transport and Power had stuck his heels in the ground, they would have put the boat back?
The termination of the service was by agreement with the local interests, not by agreement with the Minister for Transport and Power.
Question No. 25.