asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will furnish Dáil Eireann with a White Paper setting out the long-term policy underlying the pending transport legislation with special reference to the future of privately owned lorries and motor cars and stating whether it is proposed to interfere in their free employment for the carriage of their owners' goods or persons.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport Policy.
I will consider the desirability of circulating to Deputies a short memorandum explanatory of the provisions of the proposed Transport Bill prior to its Second Reading.
I have already stated publicly that the Bill will not contain any provisions for the restriction of the private transport of goods or of persons.
Will the Minister say in that memorandum whether it is the Government's intention to permit the perpetuation of the immense increases in transport charges that have taken place since the transport monopoly was created?
That is a separate question.
In the pamphlet, will the Minister deal with the question as to whether the community are to expect in future the maintenance of the vastly increasing transport charges imposed within the last few years?
No. If I circulate a memorandum as suggested, it will be explanatory of the provisions of the Bill only.
Is the Minister aware of the procedure whereby one of his nominees, the Chairman of the Great Southern Railways and General Manager of the Dublin United Transport Company, is in a position to announce Government policy on transport, instead of the Minister coming here and doing that first here through this House?
I am not aware that that has happened.
Of course you are.