asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will now recommend to Córas Iompair Éireann the reopening of the Tralee-Dingle and the Gortatlea-Castleisland branch railway lines to passenger and traffic goods, at least for a trial period of six months.

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar question on 16th November. I indicated that following the discussion of the question of branch lines in the debate on the second reading of the Transport Bill, 1949, I had undertaken to move an amendment at the Committee Stage for the establishment of a transport tribunal. The functions of the tribunal will include matters relating to branch lines. Pending further consideration of the matter during subsequent stages of the Bill I do not propose to ask Córas Iompair Éireann to take any action with regard to branch railway lines.