§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Government intend to withdraw the subsidy granted in connection with the tourist routes via Kilrush and Tarbert and via Kilrush and Foynes; and, if so, whether this intention may be reconsidered in the interest of the districts named.
§ MR. JOYCE (Limerick)At the same time may I ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Government will continue the subsidy granted to coach and steamer services in the West of Ireland so that tourists will be able to avail themselves of those routes.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe two coach services between Listowel and Tarbert, and Ennistymon and Ballyvaughan, and the steamer service between Tarbert and Kilrush were experimentally established and subsidised under the Railways Act, 1896. These services have now been worked for nearly seven years, and I regret to say that the result of the experiment, financially, has been unsatisfactory. A considerable loss has been experienced on each service, and from the three services the total receipts have been less than twenty percent. of the expenditure. Under the circumstances, and having regard to the small unexpended balance of money available under the Act of 1896, notice has been given to terminate the existing contracts on the 31st May next.