§ MR. WILLIAM ORMSBY GOREasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce any measure for the reform of the Railway system in Ireland; and, if so, on what day?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, in reply, that, so far as he was aware, the only measure to reform the railway system in Ireland which had been pressed on the Government by Peers and Members of Parliament connected with Ireland was the proposal to purchase the Irish railways by the State. To that proposal the Government were not prepared to accede, at all events in the present Session. In fact, the only distinct proposals which were before the Government were those of the Dublin Mansion House Financial Committee and the Town Council of Belfast, neither of which met with very general assent in Ireland, and the Government could not adopt either of them. Certain suggestions it was true had been made by individuals to his noble Friend the Lord Lieutenant for the reform of the Irish Railway system. These suggestions were under consideration; but he was not able to say whether a measure would be founded upon them during the present Session.