I move:—
Go ndeontar Suim Bhreise, ná raghaidh thar Deich bPúint, chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1926, chun Iocaíochtanna fé Acht na mBóthar Iarainn, 1924, fén Tramways and Public Companies (Ireland) Act, 1883, etc., agus chun crícheanna eile a bhaineann le Bóithre Iarainn in Eirinn.
That a Supplementary Sum, not exceeding Ten Pounds, be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1926, for Payments under the Railways Act, 1924, the Tramways and Public Companies (Ireland) Act, 1883, etc., and for other purposes connected with Irish Railways.
This Vote is required for the Sligo and Belmullet Steamer Service. That service has been in existence for a very considerable time—I think since 1899. There is no railway or other regular transport system between Sligo and Belmullet except this steamer service, which is very largely availed of for merchandise and live stock, and the failure or disappearance of the service would be a very great hardship on the people of the district. In the first instance the service was worked by the Sligo Steam Navigation Co. under contract with the Board of Works. Then, for three years ending the 31st May, 1919, the company had a subsidy from the Congested Districts Board. From May, 1919, to January, 1920, the company continued to carry on the service without a subsidy. Then, in order that it might be maintained, the SS. "Tartar," which is Government property, and which is at present on the service, was handed over, at the request of the then Local Government Board, for the conveyance of foodstuffs, particularly, to Belmullet. From January, 1921, the service was continued by the company under an agreement with the Board of Works, which provided for the use of the steamer free of charge and a guarantee to the company against loss, limited to £1,000, for twelve months. Payments on that basis were made to 31st July, 1924. Since that time the service has been carried on from month to month on the basis that the Government accept liability for working losses. The sum required to meet these losses from 31st July, 1924, to 31st March, 1926, is £2,150. It is estimated that £2,140 can be provided out of savings on other sub-heads of the Railway Vote.
At present the channel to the Belmullet town wharf is not navigable to the ship that is used on the service and the cargo has to be loaded and discharged at Pickle Point Pier, which is one and a half miles from Belmullet. The service cannot be self-supporting unless the steamer can proceed to Belmullet, and the question of dredging the channel at an estimated cost of £6,600, or selling the SS. "Tartar" and procuring a steamer of a lesser draught, is under consideration.