§ * MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN (Cork)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware of the effect upon the Cork Exhibition and the city of Cork by the attitude of the railway companies in withholding, unless at rare intervals, excursion trains at moderate fares; and whether the attention of the Department of Agriculture and Industry in Ireland, which has spent money in aid of the Cork Exhibition, will be drawn to this attitude of the Great Southern and Western and other railway companies.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe Department has been in correspondence with the railway companies on the subject. The companies some time ago made reductions in the fares, and further substantial 1085 reductions have been made by the Great Southern and Western Company to take effect from tomorrow.
§ * MR. J. F. X. O'BRIENWill the right hon. Gentleman see that the other railway companies act on the same lines as the Great Southern and Western Company?
§ MR. WYNDHAMsaid the hon. Member must understand that the Irish Government could not take action in this matter, but the new Department, could, on specific complaint being made.
§ * MR. J. F, X. O'BRIENHas not the Department of Agriculture in Ireland the same powers in this respect as the Board of. Trade in England?
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe powers of the new department become operative only on the receipt of specific complaints.