§ 42. Mr. LARDNERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that for a number of years the Great Southern and Western Railway Company, in con junction with the Dublin and South-Eastern Railway Company, ran through trains over the Dublin Junction Railways and the Drumcondra link line to Punchestown, but that they have refused to continue this arrangement, and that in consequence the Drumcondra link line, which cost the Great Southern and Western Railway Company nearly half a million, is now practically derelict as far as passenger traffic is concerned, the only passenger trains using it being the up and down day mails between Kingstown and Cork; and will he take steps so that the intentions of Parliament when passing the Act for the construction of this line shall be carried out?
§ Mr. BURNSThe Board of Trade have no jurisdiction in this matter, but I have sent a copy of my hon. Friend's question to the Great Southern and Western Railway Company for their observations, and I will communicate with him on receipt of their reply.
§ 43. Mr. LARDNERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that those Irish railway companies who hither to had declined to fall in with the views of the English railway companies and make return tickets available for six months have, with the exception of the Great Southern and Western Railway Company, agreed to grant this facility to the public; and, in these circumstances, can he see his way to bring pressure on the Great Southern and Western Company to give similar facilities?
§ Mr. BURNSI have asked the Great Southern and Western Railway Company for their observations in this matter, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend on receipt of their reply.
§ Mr. LARDNERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the other railway companies in Ireland have agreed to this except the Great Southern and Western Railway Company?