HC Deb 01 February 1897 vol 45 cc911-2
MR. D. MACALEESE (Monaghan, N.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade can anything be done to induce the Great Northern Railway Company of Ireland to erect a bridge over the level crossing at the town of Clones; and is he aware that this crossing is a cause of grave inconvenience to farmers, who bring their cattle and agricultural produce to the fairs and markets of Clones for disposal, as well as to the general public; also that the closing of railway gates, owing to shunting operations, on Sundays and holidays, often delays Catholics on the way to worship, the only passage, when the gates are shut, being a narrow tunnel too abominably filthy to admit of description?

MR. RITCHIE

The Board of Trade have further communicated with the Croat Northern Railway of Ireland on the subject of this Question, and I shall be happy to show the hon. Member the reply I have received. While it gives no hope that a bridge will be constructed and combats the allegation of inconvenience, a promise is made that the charge with reference to the subway shall be further looked into.

MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the expediency of bringing in a Bill to abolish the Great Northern Railway in the interests of the Roman Catholics of Ireland?

[No answer was given].

MR. MACALEESE

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, will an inquiry be ordered into the allegation that a special train was run on a single line from Newbliss to Clones on 27th August without safety staff; and what steps will be taken to prevent the repetition of a neglect so dangerous to travellers?

MR. RITCHIE

I find that it is true that a special train was allowed to leave Newbliss for Clones on the day referred to without the train staff. The staff had been removed from the magazine, but by inadvertence the train left without it. It is not a case for an inquiry, but a letter shall be addressed to the Company expressing a hope that the necessity for great care in such matters will be enforced on their servants.