asked the Minister for Agriculture whether at the instance of the Dairy Disposal Company, lorries were sent from Cork to Ardfert to transport butter from the creamery at Ardfert to Cork and if so, whether it is to be the policy henceforward of the Department to prefer road transport for butter to the detriment of railway transport.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport of Butter by Road.
I am informed by the Dairy Disposal Company that a much cheaper freight rate, including chilling facilities at the port, has been obtained by them in this case than could be obtained by rail transport from Ardfert. I understand that repeated representations have been made by the Dairy Disposal Company to the Railway Companies on the subject of the high rates to London, but that no substantial concession has so far been granted. The matter of choice of method of transport is one for the Dairy Disposal Company, with whose discretion, under the circumstances indicated, I do not feel in a position to interfere. The question, therefore, of the policy of the Department of Agriculture does not arise.
Arising out of the answer, I should like to ask the Minister if it is not the policy, as declared, of his Party to support the railway industry, and will they make representations to the Dairy Disposal Board to ensure that they will not take steps in favour of road transport by bus as against the railway industry?
The Deputy should read the answer and he will see——
Most unfortunately, I cannot read what I have not seen in print, but I have listened to what the Minister has read.
If the Deputy has no more good sense in reading than he has in listening, we will not get much out of him.
I will not compare the Minister's sense and his reading powers because I do not think they are things that can be compared.
Arising out of the Minister's polite reply, might I point out that the same reason for patronising road transport is advanced by everybody, with the result that the railways are being wiped out. That is the whole trouble—that pirate buses can quote a lower rate than the railway company.
If Deputy Dillon were listening, he would have heard that repeated representations have been made to the railway company by the Board to come down a little in their freight rates. There was also the question of cold storage facilities and the railway company would do nothing about it, and, consequently, the Dairy Disposal Company is dealing with the matter and, in the circumstances, I do not propose to interfere.
Does the Minister wish us to understand that it is his considered opinion that the railways ought to have come down?
Yes.
And to have provided cold storage?