§ MR. P. M'DERMOTT (Kilkenny, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Portumna branch of the Great Southern (Ireland) Railway has been for years lying derelict and unused, and that the money originally expended on it was largely subscribed by the farmers and shopkeepers of the districts which it was intended to accommodate; and whether, considering the circumstances of the case and the overtures made from time to time to the Great Southern Railway Company urging the reopening of this line, he will make inquiry to see what can be done in the matter?
§ MR. HANBURYThe branch line in question, opened in 1868, was abandoned by the Great Southern and Western Railway in 1878, and has been lying derelict and unused since 1883. The cost of construction was defrayed partly out of a loan by the Public Works Loan Commissioners, partly out of a contribution by the Great Southern and Western Railway Company, and partly out of subscriptions from other quarters, but I am not able to say by whom the latter subscriptions were contributed. The Treasury are at present in communication with the Irish Government with a view to see what can be done in the matter.