§ MR. CLANCYI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the efforts made by the inhabitants of Clontarf, County of Dublin, to induce the Great Northern Railway Company of Ireland to re-open their station at that place, and to the persistent refusal of the Company to comply with this request; and, whether he is aware that the railway company in question is bound by one of its Acts to "make and maintain for ever" a station at Clontarf; and, if so, whether the Board of Trade will communicate with the company with a view to inducing it to comply with the law.
§ MR. RITCHIEI have communicated with the company on the subject of the hon. Member's Question, and shall be happy to show him their reply. The company state that the obligation to maintain the station ceased under the Act of 1837, and as a legal question is involved, I fear it would be useless for the Board of Trade to interfere further in the matter.
§ MR. CLANCYWill the right hon. Gentleman consult his legal adviser on the legal question?
§ MR. RITCHIEThe legal adviser has, of course, seen the reply the railway company have made, and they have specifically stated the Act under which their obligation has been repealed.
§ MR. CLANCYI would like to direct attention to the fact that there are other than legal considerations involved.
§ MR. RITCHIEIt may be so; but if the railway company have got an Act of Parliament which sets them free from a previous obligation it is impossible for the Board of Trade to interfere.