asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will say whether he has issued instructions to the Great Southern Railways Company regarding the priority to be afforded as from the 19th instant to various classes of traffic passing over their system, and, if so, whether he will state the authority under which such instructions were issued and the reasons which induced him to issue them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Traffic Priority.
In exercise of powers conferred by Article 32 of the Emergency Powers Order, 1939 (S.R. & O. No. 224 of 1939), I have given directions to the Great Southern Railways Company as from 19th instant regarding the utilisation of that company's carrying capacity, including the carriage in priority of certain classes of traffics. Under normal conditions, the company are under an obligation as a carrier to accept and forward, without discrimination as between areas or persons, all traffic of any description which they hold themselves out to carry. Owing to the abnormal demands of certain essential traffics, particularly grain, fuel, sugar beet, sugar, beet pulp and live stock, and the delays occasioned by inferior quality coal, it is considered necessary to place the company in a position to deal fully and promptly with these essential traffics even to the possible exclusion of other traffics. I am of opinion, however, that if subparagraphs (b) and (c) of paragraph 3 of the order, which relate to the more rapid loading and discharge of wagons and lorries, are effectively carried out, the priority accorded in sub-paragraph (d) may not, in present circumstances, appreciably affect or delay non-priority traffics.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, before issuing instructions to the Great Southern Railways Company regarding the priority to be afforded to nonperishable traffic, e.g., cattle for export, coal, cut timber, etc., over highly perishable passenger - rated traffic, e.g., fish, fresh meat and milk, he consulted with any representative bodies, or persons with specialised knowledge of transport problems and, if so, whether he will state the names of the organisations and persons so consulted; whether he has inquired if the railway company in giving effect to his instructions would be acting contrary to law and, further, whether he is aware that the effect of implementing the instructions will be deleterious in the case of highly perishable traffic.
Sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph 3 of the order to which the Deputy refers retains the services for passenger-rated traffic by rail and road as they are to-day. The great bulk of the highly perishable traffic is carried by passenger train and so is unaffected by the order. The priority list applies only to commodities carried by merchandise trains and road vehicles. The determination of priorities has been, and will continue to be, so long as it is necessary, the subject of consultation between the Government Departments concerned. The interests of perishable traffic, in particular, are dealt with by the Department of Agriculture, which is in a position, with its intimate knowledge of the normal course of this trade, to advise on what is necessary.
As regards the suggestion that the railways company, in giving effect to these directions, would be acting contrary to law, I would refer the Deputy to Section 10 of the Emergency Powers Act, 1939.
Has the Minister appointed any representative of his Department to see that the order issued will be carried out in the manner indicated, or what check will there be on the administration of the order?
The Department will keep in touch with the company.
Has the Minister considered the dislocation in trade, generally, and the unemployment likely to arise from the implementation of this order if round timber, sawn by millers, and used for housing and other purposes, cannot be carried?
That aspect of the matter was fully considered but, when it is clear that there are inadequate carrying facilities for all the traffic, it is considered desirable that priority should be given to the most essential traffic.
How does the Minister justify the priority given to non-perishable goods-rated traffic over perishable passenger-rated traffic?
The order relates only to traffic carried in goods trains.
The order does not clearly state that.
It does.