asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is now in a position to publish the reports received from the Transport Tribunal on August 4th and 11th, 1939; if not, whether he can state approximately when the reports will be published; whether pending publication, and having regard to the fact that in December, 1938, the Minister responsible for the appointment of the tribunal promised its report in February last, he will cause a copy to be placed in the Library without delay for the information of Deputies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport Tribunal Report.
I am not yet in a position to publish the reports received from the Transport Tribunal, nor can I indicate, even approximately, when they will be published.
In the altered circumstances which have arisen, not only since the tribunal was set up but since the reports were presented, consultations with other Departments have become increasingly necessary before a decision, even in broad principle, can be taken in regard to the recommendations of the tribunal.
What is the justification for withholding the publication of the report and even if the Minister is not prepared to authorise the expenditure involved surely it would not cost much to get his messenger boy in the office to bring over a copy from his own office and leave it in the Library for the information of members and other people outside this House who are deeply interested?
Would the Minister say if it is his intention to keep members of the Oireachtas ignorant of these proposals definitely until the Ministry have made up their mind on them?
It is advisable always before the publication of important reports of this nature that the Government should have time to consider them. That was the practice prior to 1932 and that is a practice it is proposed to maintain.
Is it not a fact that these reports have been or should have been under consideration for the past three months and, apart altogether from the attitude of the Government in refusing to come to a policy decision, surely the public who are paying for the expense of this tribunal and the interested parties outside, the railway companies and the railway workers, are entitled to hear the viewpoint of the tribunal in this matter.
The tribunal was set up to ascertain the facts for the information of the Government and for the consideration of the Government, and these facts and the result of that consideration will be put before the public in due course.
And to make proposals.
And to make proposals.
Did the Minister's predecessor not undertake to bring in the necessary legislation before the end of the present year?