asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether it is his intention to interfere with the existing management or control of the Great Southern Railways, whether he intends altering the constitution of the Board of Directors of the Great Southern Railways Company; whether he intends superimposing on the directors a representative or nominee of the Government; whether he proposes taking these measures, or any of them, under the powers conferred on him by the Emergency Powers Act rather than by means of a Bill introduced into Dáil Eireann; and whether he is prepared to make a comprehensive statement indicating his proposals for the reorganisation of (a) the Great Southern Railways, and (b) the transport system generally.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reorganisation of Transport System.
As the Deputy is now aware, the Government has made an order under the Emergency Powers Act, providing, inter alia, that as on and from the 24th February the Board of Directors of the Great Southern Railways Company shall consist of a chairman appointed by the Government and four directors, representing the shareholders, elected in accordance with the order. The order was made with a view to the reorganisation of the administration of the company for the purpose of securing adequate and efficient transport of essential commodities in the present emergency conditions.
Will the Minister answer the last part of the question?
I think I have done so. At least I explained that the order was made because of circumstances arising out of the present emergency conditions.
The last portion of the question is: "whether he is prepared to make a comprehensive statement indicating his proposals for the reorganisation of (a) the Great Southern Railways and (b) the transport system generally." The Minister has not dealt with (b) at all. Am I right in assuming in respect to (a) that the Minister only intends to make the change in the Great Southern Railways which was indicated in the recent Emergency Powers Order and no other change?
It is the only change that has been made.
That is not answering the question I asked.
I am not proposing to discuss my intentions.
Everyone will welcome the Minister's decision not to do so as it would be impossible to keep up with his intentions. I asked whether the Minister was prepared to make a comprehensive statement indicating his proposals for the reorganisation of the Great Southern Railways. Is the Minister prepared to do this? Is he prepared to answer (b), to make a statement about the transport system generally? He used to have plans for dealing with transport.
Ample opportunity of discussing the transport situation is available to Deputies. I do not think a discussion would be in order at Question Time.