§ MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co, N.)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether, in considering the merits of the various lines of railway suggested to be made under the Light Railways Act of last Session, the attention of the Lord Lieutenant in Council was called to the following passage in the Report of the Royal Commission on Irish Public Works (page 50):—
In the County of Kilkenny is a district which, in the opinion of practical and professional men, contains a large store of coal known to be useful for many, though not all, of the purposes for which English and Welsh coal is used. This coalfield is already worked to an appreciable extent for local purposes; but though within 10 to 20 miles of three lines of railway, has never been opened up by a branch line.and whether the development of such an industry was one of the main objects of the Act of last Session; and, if so, whether he will suggest to the Lord Lieutenant the advisability of favourably considering the claims of the industry and district in question, in scheduling any further Light Railway schemes?
§ MR. MADDENThe Lord Lieutenant in Council had its attention called to the reference made by the Royal Commissioners in their Report to complaints made to them in the terms quoted in the question. As already stated, in reply to previous questions, it would be premature to consider any further proposals for light railways until the cases of the schemes already scheduled have been finally disposed of.