§ MR. LAW (Donegal, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the attention of the Board of Works has been drawn to the necessity for the provision of an additional station or siding on the Burtonport Railway for the accommodation of the fish traffic from the new harbour at Kincaslough; and whether, seeing that the Lough Swilly Company, being the working company, have signified their willingness to pay for half the cost of construction and maintenance, but that the Board of Works has declined to co-operate, and in view of the growing importance of this fishery, he will take steps to induce the Board of Works to reconsider their attitude.
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The Answer to the first part of the Question; is in the affirmative. I am informed that the proposed new station would. cost at least £2,000, and that, if erected, it would effect a saving in cartage of only one mile five furlongs, viz., from five miles three furlongs (the distance 1537 from Burtonport to Kincaslagh) to three miles six furlongs. So far as I have been able to ascertain, only about 50 tons of fish were carted last year from Kincaslagh to Burtonport, the remainder of the catch having been sent there by sea, and I see no reason for supposing the proposed station would make any considerable difference in this respect. In these circumstances, and in view of the benefit already accruing to the company from the large expenditure of public money at Gortnasate (Kincaslagh), I am of opinion that if the station is desired by the company it should be provided by the company out of its own resources; and I am not prepared to accede to the hon. Member's request.