asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he sanctioned the closing of the Cashel-Gooldscross branch railway line; and if so, whether the sanction so given was intended to be permanent or temporary.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the hardships inflicted on the people owing to the closing of the Cashel-Gooldscross branch railway line; and whether he is prepared to direct Córas Iompair Éireann to have it reopened.

I propose to take questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.

Rail services on the Cashel-Gooldscross line and on some other branch lines have been temporarily discontinued by Córas Iompair Éireann since January last due to shortage of coal. The company has been acting under an Emergency Powers Order made in 1944 and continued in force by the Supplies and Services (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1946.

A railway company cannot permanently discontinue a service of trains on any branch line until they have first obtained an Order from the Minister for Industry and Commerce under Section 9 of the Railways Act, 1933. Public notice must be given and ample time afforded for interested parties to make representations.

Cashel is on the Dublin-Cork omnibus route on which there are two services each way daily. There is a daily lorry service between Gooldscross and Cashel.