asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she is aware of the anomoly that exists in respect of the free travel scheme affecting persons in Border areas, making a journey between two points in the Republic, but which necessitates travelling through Northern Ireland, i.e. a person making such a journey from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Sligo and entitled to free travel will have to pay a supplement for the duration of the journey through Northern Ireland to the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Company, as there is no alternative public route wholly in the Republic, and this contrasts with the situation of a similarly qualified person making a journey for example from the Dingle Peninsula to Cork where no supplement would arise; if she will therefore examine this situation with a view to removing this anomoly; and if she will make a statement.
Written Answers. - Free Travel Scheme.
115.
In the case to which the Deputy refers, a free travel pass holder is carried free of charge, on production of his free travel pass, by the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Company, between the Inishowen Peninsula and Derry. Under present arrangements, he is however required to make a payment to CIE which operates the Derry to Sligo service, in respect of the portion of the journey in Northern Ireland, i.e. from Derry to Carrigans.
Discussions were opened with CIE some time ago on this situation and it is hoped that the matter can be satisfactorily resolved in the near future.