§ Mr. EDWARD BARRYasked the Chief Secretary whether he has received a resolution from the Skibbereen and Schull Railway Company in Cork requesting assistance for the relief of the ratepayers from the burden of taxation caused by this line; and whether, as the line passes through a poor country, he will have inquiries made as to the reasonableness of this claim?
§ Mr. BIRRELLApplications to the effect stated were received from the Railway Company in 1906, but not since. The Treasury already contribute £l,140 a year to this line under the Tramways and Public Companies (Ireland) Act, 1883, and I understand that a further contribution of £738 was made to it on the report of the Commissioner of Valuation this year under the provisions of Sub-section 4, Section 58 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act (1898). I regret that I am not in a position to hold out hope of further relief to the ratepayers.