§ MR. ROCHEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the amount expended on the Birr and Portumna line of railway; also whose property it is at present; whether he is aware that a portion of the line has been stolen or taken away; that this stealing of the line is continued up to the present; and, if so, whether he will give instructions to prevent this.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe cost of construction of this line was about £80,000. The Great Southern and Western Company worked the line for ten years, and when their lease expired in 1878 they surrendered the line, winch then fell into the hands of the Public Works Loans Commissioners as first mortgagees. The rails, etc., were carried away by irresponsible persons.
§ MR. WYNDHAMI am told there is nothing left worth stealing.