§ MR. JOHN O'DONNELL (Mayo, S.)To ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that there is a crossing over the Great Southern and Western Railway in the townland of Garryduff, electoral division of Ballindine, Claremorris Union, and that the people of Garryduff, Woodstock, Carrowconnor, Levase, Cullane, Burris, Baleboy, Crimline, and Rockforth have to cross the line at this point; that there is no other convenient way for the vehicular traffic coming from and going to these places; that it is in close proximity to a wood and a sharp curve, which add to the danger; that recently when crossing the line a cart was caught by a passenger train and smashed to pieces, serious loss of life having being narrowly averted; and, seeing that the Claremorris District Council and the Mayo County Council forwarded representations to the Board of Trade for the necessity of having a gate lodge erected at the spot, with a gatekeeper in charge, with a view to saving life and property, whether efforts will be made to compel the railway company to take prompt steps to safeguard the lives of the numbers of people who have to pass there at all hours of the day and night.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The crossing in question does not appear to be one of a public carriage road, and the railway company are, therefore, under no statutory obligation to employ a gatekeeper' to supervise the traffic over the crossing. The Board of Trade have no jurisdiction, but they have called the company's attention to the matter, and have received a reply to the effect that the crossing is not considered a dangerous one.