asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the Skibbereen to Schull tramway service has been closed down for years; and, if so, if it is his intention to re-establish the service; and, if not, what proposals he has in mind for the disposal of the rolling-stock and equipment which is at present rapidly deteriorating.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Skibbereen-Schull Tramway.
I am aware that services on the Skibbereen-Schull branch line have been suspended for a number of years. Since the passing of the Transport Act, 1950, the Minister for Industry and Commerce has no function in regard to the closing of Córas Iompair Éireann branch lines. Before services could be permanently discontinued on any branch line, Córas Iompair Éireann would have to obtain an Order from the Transport Tribunal in accordance with the provisions of the Transport Act, 1950. Notice would have to be published, and such objections as may be made by interested parties must be considered by the tribunal. The question of the maintenance or disposal of the rolling stock and equipment would be a matter for Córas Iompair Éireann.
Mr. Murphy
Does the Minister consider it good policy for Córas Iompair Éireann to let thousands of pounds' worth of property rot between Skibbereen and Skull, especially having regard to the fact that Córas Iompair Éireann has to be heavily subsidised by the Irish taxpayer? All this money is going to waste, which local estimates put somewhere around £50,000 to £80,000.
The Deputy is surely aware that the Minister for Industry and Commerce was put out of any control of this matter by the Deputy's own Party, in conjunction with Deputy Dillon in 1950.
Stop that kind of statement across the House.
Mr. Murphy
This is a very serious matter. Will the Minister be good enough to make representations to Córas Iompair Éireann to ascertain from them what their intention is regarding this property? People have enough to finance without being called upon to finance a board which allows its own property to rot and deteriorate in these places I have mentioned.
If the Deputy would only address these remarks and questions to the board of Córas Iompair Éireann that was appointed by his Party in 1950, he might get some satisfaction. The fact is that the Dáil decided, at the instance of the Coalition Government, to put the Minister for Industry and Commerce out of this matter altogether.
There have been a good many objections to interference with the board.