MR. PATRICK O'BPIEN () KilkennyI beg to ask the Vice-President of the Agricultural Department for Ireland if his attention has been called to the renewed attempt to amalgamate railways in the south of Ireland; and whether, in view of the important statutory functions which belong to his Department in relation to the carriage and distribution of Irish produce, he will take steps to oppose any definite action being taken by Parliament until such time as his Department is fully constituted and he has had an opportunity of ascertaining the opinions of the councils and boards which are to advise his Department upon such matters.
§ MR. PLUNKETTThe reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. The statutory functions referred to in the second paragraph would not warrant my taking any official action in the direction indicated. Any person wishing to delay the progress of the Amalgamation Bill on the ground that the councils and boards about to be constituted ought to be heard must take Parliamentary action in the usual way.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs it not a fact that Committees of the House of Commons have twice reported adversely upon this scheme for monopolising more than half the railways of Ireland in the hands of one company, and that being so will the Vice-President use his influence with the Irish Government to delay the Bill now before Parliament before further expense is incurred?
§ MR. PLUNKETTI am afraid I cannot give any undertaking to put pressure upon the Irish Government, but 943 I think the facts are as stated by the hon. Member.