asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state what is the cause of the delay in making available a reasonable allowance of petrol for the Liffey Ferry Service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Petrol for Liffey Ferry Service.
A reasonable allowance of petrol has been made available for the Liffey Ferry Service on the basis of the reduced service now in operation. By agreement with the Dublin Corporation, these services have recently been curtailed owing to the restricted quantities of petrol now available for distribution generally. Application for a licence to purchase sufficient petrol to maintain the reduced service to the end of the present month was received from the city authorities on the 18th instant, and was issued on the same day. The Deputy's suggestion of delay is, therefore, completely unfounded.
Mr. Byrne
Can the Minister say whether the allocation for the month of June is to be the same as for April and May?
That is a separate question.
Mr. Byrne
I understood from the Minister that an application was received from the city authorities?
Perhaps the Deputy would study my reply, and then put down a further question if he so wishes.
Mr. Byrne
Would the Minister be good enough to repeat the reply, because this is a very important matter?
The Deputy can raise the matter on another occasion if he wishes.
Mr. Byrne
The point is that I raised it a month ago, and the House was given to understand that negotiations were taking place and that a reasonable allowance would be given.
The point is that the Deputy asked me what was the cause of the delay in making available an allowance of petrol. We received an application on the 18th of this month, and a licence for the petrol was issued on the same day. There was no delay.
Mr. Byrne
For the month of June?
For the month of May.
Mr. Byrne
Will the Minister state whether it is his opinion that an amount of petrol which allows of a service of only four hours altogether is a reasonable allowance, in view of the fact that the ferry has always been used by hundreds of workers, and that now many of them are losing their work as a consequence of not being able to get from one side to the other in a reasonable time?
I might remind the Deputy that Ministers may not be asked for an expression of opinion. Questions should deal with facts.
In the piping days of peace, the Liffey service operated for even one single customer. We cannot afford to use petrol in that manner now. Therefore, the service has had to be reorganised and reduced because of the scarcity of petrol, and, having regard to the reduced service operated by the corporation authorities, I think the amount of petrol provided is more than ample.
Mr. Byrne
My point is that the reduced service is not nearly adequate.
It is the most we can afford to give.
Mr. Byrne
The service in the morning is half an hour late, too late for many workers.