MR. MACVEIGH (Donegal, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed on the 11th inst. by the County Council of Donegal, confirming resolutions passed on 23rd August and 16th October, 1905, calling for an inquiry, in the interest of the ratepayers of the guaranteeing area, and the public using the Burtonport Railway, and for the appointment of an arbitrator to inquire into the allegations made by the railway company as to the imperfect completion of the line, the insufficient equipment with engines and rolling stock, and the alleged improper expenditure of public money; and will he say when an arbitrator will be appointed to inquire into the matter and the working of the line generally.
592 (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) After very full and repeated consideration of all the circumstances of this case and in view of the terms of the Order in Council, and the agreement with the Treasury for the construction, etc., of the line, the Treasury has decided that it would not be justified in referring the matter to an outside tribunal. A similar Answer was given to unstarred Questions by the hon. Members for West and South Donegal on Monday last.† As regards the working of the line an improvement, has, I understand, already taken place some time ago, and I am not aware of any reason for pressing the Board of Trade to hold an inquiry into the matter.