§ MR. VINCENT KENNEDY (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state how many sittings of the Vice-Regal Commission on Irish Railways have been held and when they were held; when is 1425 it expected that this Commission's sittings will conclude and when will its Report be available; is he aware that some of the Irish railways, whether in consequence of this Commission being set up or otherwise, have seriously reduced passenger traffic facilities; and is it intended to propose legislation founded on the Report of this Commission.
§ MR. CHERRYI am informed by the Secretary to the Commission that eighty-seven public sittings of the Commission have been held between October, 1906, and the present month. It is anticipated that the oral evidence yet to be taken will be completed early next year, after which the Commissioners will proceed with the consideration of their Report. I understand that the Commission have had some evidence relative to reduced passenger facilities on a few Irish railways, and have also heard the explanations of the companies concerned. Until the Commission have made their Report it is obviously impossible to say what action the Government may take on it.