asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the great loss and inconvenience that will be caused to farmers, business people and others living in the Ballydehob, Schull and Goleen districts in West Cork and that about 30 men will be thrown out of employment as a result of the proposed closing down of the Schull and Skibbereen Railway, which was recently announced; whether he is further aware of the injurious effect the closing of this line will have on the fairs and markets held in Ballydehob, Schull and Goleen; and whether he will make representations to the Great Southern Railways Company for the purpose of having at least two trains a week run over this line.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Schull and Skibbereen Railway.
Having regard to the serious fuel supply position I regret that I am unable to make representations to the Great Southern Railways Company on the lines suggested by the Deputy. Adequate substitute merchandise road services are being made available, with special provision for live-stock traffic.
Is the Minister aware that this line runs through a turf-producing area, and that adequate supplies of turf are available to keep the line going?
There appear to be illusions in some quarters that coal, which cannot be made available for railway transport, can be substituted by turf. The fact is that the quantity of turf produced for all purposes will also be inadequate, and we cannot possibly contemplate the diversion to railway traffic of turf required for other purposes.
Will the Minister say if the line is being closed down as a result of his action, or the action of the railway company?
This line is being temporarily closed, and other restrictions imposed, because the railway company cannot now get the quantity of coal required to maintain its services.
Is the Minister aware that the railway company tried on a previous occasion to close down this line and that public opinion was against it, and will the Minister see that this line will be reopened when the emergency passes?
As I have explained, under permanent legislation the railway company cannot cease to operate a service without Ministerial Order. Temporary suspension of traffic on that and other branch lines is due solely to the curtailment of coal supplies.
At the end of the emergency will the Minister give the railway Company the Order to close the line if they ask for it?
I do not want to prejudge any decision like that but, so far as I am aware, there is no intention to apply for a closing Order.
Is the Minister aware that whatever services are substituted they will not be as efficient as the railway?
It is quite possible that the substitute services will not be as efficient, but every effort will be made to make them as efficient as possible in the circumstances.
Will the Minister see that there is a sufficient supply of petrol to keep the substitute road services going?
I hope so.