asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that there has been serious delay from day to day in the dispatch from the Great Southern Railways, at Wexford station, of farm machinery manufactured by Messrs. Pierce, of Wexford; that, as a result of such delay, there are at present lying at Wexford depot, awaiting dispatch to customers in Éire, 50 corn drills, 84 root cutters and 147 horse ploughs; that the rolling stock made available by the railway company for Messrs. Pierce's products is totally inadequate to clear their output; and whether, in view of the fact that these newly-manufactured implements are urgently needed to be put into use for food production, he will either make such representations to the railway company as will ensure the speedy dispatch of Messrs. Pierce's products, or else have them classed as priority goods.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport of Farm Machinery.
The transport of agricultural machinery from Wexford has, for some time past, been under discussion with the Great Southern Railways Company. I am satisfied that every effort is being made to deal with the traffic as expeditiously as circumstances permit. At present, when the grain and beet traffics are at a peak, it is temporarily impossible to meet the full demands of other traffic on the company's rolling stock and engine power. No purpose would, however, be served by adding this traffic to the priority list, as it is already accorded preference over all other traffic, with the exception of certain perishable foodstuffs, beet, fuel and live stock for fairs.