§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a resolution passed by the St. Patrick's Division of the United Irish League requesting the 326W hastening of the connection of Irish coal mines with main railway lines and asking him to take measures to secure adequate supplies of fuel for Dublin city; and what arrangements have been made, or are intended, to supply coal and turf, especially for the poor?
§ Mr. SAMUELSThe resolution referred to has been received. The connection between the Great Southern and Western Railway and the Wolfhill Colliery is nearing completion. The construction of a railway connecting the Castlecomer Colliery with the same railway has been taken in hand. The question of the further development of the Arigna mining field is under consideration. The supply of coal for Ireland has been necessarily reduced owing to the reduced output from the mines in Great Britain and the demands for coal of the Allied countries. But I am informed that fair supplies have been coming into Ireland, and that the whole question of its allocation is receiving special attention from the Departments concerned. For some time past special steps have been taken to bring before all concerned in Ireland the importance of using turf as a substitute for coal. It is believed that much more turf is now being cut than heretofore.