asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the operation of the Road Transport Act has caused grave hardship to the farmers in the parishes of Kilwatermoy, Knockanore and Glandine, County Waterford, who formerly were able to deliver milk at ½d. per gallon on lorries and now are obliged to pay 1d. per gallon for transport on Great Southern Railways, and whether he will grant licences, if applied for, to enable local carriers to compete for this trade.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport of Milk in Waterford.
I am not aware that the operation of the Road Transport Act, 1933, in the adjustment of transport charges to an economic level has caused grave hardship in any particular instance. As a result of earlier representations made to me, the provision of road transport facilities for the carriage of milk in the areas referred to is under consideration with the Great Southern Railways Company. Pending the outcome of these negotiations the question of the grant of merchandise road transport licences to local carriers cannot be considered.