Deputies Davin, M. O'Sullivan, James Larkin and myself gave notice of the following question:—

To ask the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will furnish particulars of any proposals submitted to or received from the Six County Government for the purpose of preventing the proposed closing down of the Great Northern Railway Company; if any agreement has been reached on this question and if he will give an assurance that the necessary steps will be taken by the Government to continue to operate that section of the company which is inside our jurisdiction.

I think that at this stage it would be premature to outline any proposals in view of the fact that discussions are still continuing. As regards the latter part of the Deputy's question, the reply to Deputy Byrne's question and earlier replies to a question by the Deputy and, I think, by Deputy Byrne and probably Deputy Flanagan, indicated that the Government has announced its decision to protect the interests of those employed in the Great Northern Railway within our territory.

In so far as the obvious method of giving effect to the pledge given by the Minister, which we all appreciate, is the establishment by joint action between the Governments concerned of some type of board or authority for a national system of transport covering all the roads, railways and canals in the whole country, can the Parliamentary Secretary state whether such a proposal or proposal of a like nature has been made or is proposed to be made? If such a proposal has not been put to the Northern Government, will the Minister state what reasons precluded him from making such a proposal?

I am afraid that that is much wider than the scope of the question.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if the pledge to protect the interests of the employees in this area extends to the employees of the Dundalk workshops?

To the employees of the Dundalk workshops who reside within the area which is within the jurisdiction of this Government.

In reply to Deputy Connolly's supplementary question, as I said before, in view of the fact that discussions are at present proceeding and that they have not yet concluded, it is obviously undesirable to indicate the nature of these discussions or whatever proposals have been considered.

In view of the fact that the Dáil will adjourn this evening and that we shall have no further opportunity of discussing this matter——

Surely, we shall have an opportunity of discussing it.

——will the Parliamentary Secretary give some broad outline in regard to it?

I can give no broad outline except to remind the Deputy of the guarantee given by the Government that the position of the employees within the jurisdiction of the Government will be adequately protected. At this stage I think it would be quite improper to embark on any outline of the nature of the discussions which have already taken place and are at present proceeding. As the Deputy is aware, any proposals in connection with this matter will eventually have to come before the Dáil.

Will the Minister state whether the Government propose to utilise the powers at their command to ensure that if the Great Northern Railway Company should proceed to close down and sell, lock, stock and barrel, that course will not be followed in respect of that part of the railway which is within our jurisdiction?

I think that is implied in the reply I gave—if necessary.

Question No. 69. I suggest that supplementaries might be curtailed so as to enable us to finish the questions by 5 o'clock.