asked the Minister for Supplies if he will say on what grounds Mr. Thomas R. Potter, Headmaster of Potter's College and Junior School, Dun Laoghaire, who is a cripple and can move about only in a specially fitted small car driven by himself and which cannot be driven by another, and which carries a special chair to act as Mr. Potter's "feet," has been refused a small ration of petrol, and if he will allow this car to be classified as an "invalid chair" or indicate what alteration would be required to have it so classified.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Petrol for Invalid.
I regret I have not been able to make provision for the issue of permits to the very many motor vehicles required for the use of persons suffering from physical infirmity and an exception could not be made in Mr. Potter's case. I have, however, been able to make an exception in the case of petrol driven invalid chairs, but I am unable to accept Mr. Potter's motor car as coming within this category nor can I suggest how it could be altered to a chair.
Is the Minister not aware that this is not an ordinary car? This car was specially made for Mr. Potter, who has no legs, and it could not be classified as a motor car, because it would be useless to anybody else. Would the Minister not hold out some hope of a reconsideration seeing that Mr. Potter, who was born a cripple, has built up a good school? Without Mr. Potter there would be no Potter's College. The Minister is aware of the history of this case, and has all the particulars. Could he not reconsider the matter? This would not be setting up any precedent because there are not three persons in a similar position in Éire. Would the Minister hold out any hope of reconsidering it?
I refer the Deputy to the reply I have already given him.