asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether there has been any decision with regard to the future of the West Clare Railway, and whether any answer has been received by his Department from the Railway Company with regard to the widening of the railway.

The question of widening the West Clare Railway has been examined by my Department in the light of the information available to the Railway Company and of the representations made to me from various local sources.

I am satisfied that the great development of travel that has taken place in County Clare in recent years has been on the roads and that the position has been so altered as to make it clear that the economic requirements of the county do not depend primarily on the expansion of the railway to broad gauge. In the circumstances, the substantial expenditure involved in that expansion, both initially and recurring annually, could not be justified.

Does the Minister definitely turn down the proposition as to widening?

I am satisfied that, in the present circumstances, we could not justify the expenditure which would be involved.