§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the references made to the development of the Arigna mineral area by County Court Judge Brown, K.C., at the opening of the Sessions at Carrick-on-Shannon on the 5th instant; in view of such expression and the fact that not alone would the development of this mineral area, especially the coal, give employment needed in the district, but would supply the country with cheap fuel and save the Government shipping which has to be used for the conveyance of coal into Ireland, what steps have been taken, if any to develop this area on a large and comprehensive basis; is he aware that the people in the district are entirely opposed to the construction of a short line of 3 miles of railway which is inadequate to develop the district properly and give transit facilities to all parts for the coal; and will he therefore consider the proper development of the district and give powers under the Defence of the Realm Act to connect up with the different railway systems at Collooney, a length of about 26 miles, especially as the rails for this purpose can be got from existing railways in Ireland?
§ Mr. DUKEI have seen a report in the Press of the County Court judge's observation. As to the rest of the question, I1024W would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a previous question on this subject in the OFFICIAL REPORT Of the 29th October.