asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the general dissatisfaction in the Bantry, Skibbereen and Dunmanway districts because of the unsatisfactory passenger train service to these districts, particularly as regards the time it takes trains from these towns to travel to and from Cork City; and, if so, whether he will take steps to have this grievance removed as early as possible.

I have made inquiries from Córas Iompair Éireann in this matter. The company inform me that the speed of trains on the West Cork sections of the railway is restricted in the interest of public safety, owing to the present poor condition of these lines. Apart from the passenger trains, there are adequate bus services between Cork City and West Cork areas.

Would the Minister say why it is necessary to have a stop for half an hour in West Cork at Ballineen?

I am afraid I could not answer that.

Is the Minister aware that in 1939 it took a train two hours ten minutes to go from Skibbereen to Cork and now it is taking three hours? If the delay is on account of the bad condition of the tracks, why not have them replaced by new ones, as was done in other areas?

We will do that as soon as we can.

I doubt it.

The next question—Question No. 52.

The last Government might have been doing that instead of proposing to do some of the other things they proposed to do in West Cork.

Are not the branch lines there to be closed down? Is not that true? The Minister knows quite well that it is.

You did something in West Cork——

Would Ministers and ex-Ministers allow the next question to be answered?