asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the threat to the future of the Tuam sugar factory following the announcement that CIE are to discontinue the carriage of sugar beet at Tuam railway station without providing any alternative transport; and the steps he proposes to take to safeguard this factory.

I am informed by CSET that it is not the practice to handle sugar beet at Tuam railway station. Consignments of sugar beet for Tuam sugar factory are unloaded at the Sugar Company's own sidings at the factory. The announced closure of Tuam railway station for the handling of beet will not interfere with this arrangement and is intended merely to formalise a situation that has existed for many years. Consignments for the factory from outlying districts will continue to go through the railway station to the Sugar Company's sidings.

I welcome the assurance given by the Parliamentary Secretary but might I point out that the fears expressed about the Limerick/Claremorris passenger service, which was discontinued last April, are now being realised? May I also point out that this action by CIE seems to be a further step in the downgrading of Tuam station and indeed Tuam factory? I would like to ask why this downgrading has taken place when we have an unsuitable road network in the west. Is he aware that the lack of a suitable network was given as the reason for reprieving the Rosslare/Waterford line?

I pointed out that as regards Tuam the announced closure will not interfere in any way with the unloading of beet. I give that reassurance to the Deputy.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that the decision of CIE not to take certain stations, particularly in the midlands, that have been serving Tuam over a long number of years is going to be a serious setback to the Tuam factory? Does he not further agree that the road network in Tuam is such that it does not lend itself to the type of articulated traffic that will be necessary if CIE go ahead with their plans announced recently?

That is an entirely separate question. I was asked about the Tuam railway station.

Am I to take it that even though Tuam railway station was mentioned this will not in any way interfere with beet being brought from the midlands?

Yes.

Is that an assurance?

An assurance.

Order. A question please.

I would like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary about alternative transport to which I referred in my question.

As I pointed out to the Deputy, the announced closure is not going to interfere in any way with the unloading of beet. Comhlucht Síuicre Éireann have their own sidings which are located two or three miles from the railway station and beet wagons go straight to them. Accordingly beet is neither loaded nor unloaded at Tuam railway station and beet trains will continue to go through the station direct to the company's sidings at the sugar factory as heretofore. Approximately 60 per cent of Tuam factory sugar beet intake comes by rail.