asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether his attention has been directed to the proposal of the Great Southern Railways Company to single the railway connection between Limerick and Limerick Junction; and whether, in view of the fact that it is the opinion of the Limerick Borough Council that such step would be a retrograde one and would not be in the best interests of the commercial life of the City and County of Limerick, he will make representations to the Great Southern Railways Company with a view to insuring that this proposal is not put into effect.

I have no occasion to intervene in such a matter. The proper course for parties regarding themselves as aggrieved by such proposals as are attributed to the Great Southern Railways Company is to apply to the Railway Tribunal.

As this is a matter that will probably come before the Railway Tribunal, will the Minister see that those officials of his Department who appear before the Tribunal will give evidence against the proposal of the Company?

I am not sure that any officials of mine will appear, and certainly if they do their evidence will not be under my control.