asked the Minister for Transport and Power if it is intended to re-open the Mallow-Waterford railway line for passenger and freight traffic.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mallow-Waterford Railway Line.
5.
I am informed by CIE that it is not their intention to re-open the Mallow-Waterford railway line for passengers or for freight.
CIE have, however, secured a contract for the transport of dolomite from Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny, to Ballinacourty, Dungarvan, County Waterford, where a factory is being established for the manufacture of magnesite. CIE propose to re-open for this traffic the section of the railway line between Waterford and Dungarvan to a point about 1½ miles from Dungarvan, from which it is proposed to construct a railway siding connecting the railway line with the factory.
The magnesite will be transported by rail from Ballinacourty to Cork via Waterford and Limerick Junction. CIE have informed me that this new traffic would not make it an economic proposition to re-open the whole of the Waterford-Mallow railway line.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary make representations to CIE to extend the service for the extra 1½ miles to Dungarvan station and to have passenger traffic as well as dolomite traffic so that the people of that portion of West Waterford could connect with Waterford station? Would he not think it reasonable to make representations in that regard?
This particular line is being opened for a specific purpose but I have no objection to passing on the request of the Deputy to CIE.