asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that, on the 7th instant, cattle from the fair of Ballymote, County Sligo, which had been loaded on railway wagons at Ballymote, had to be unloaded, as no engine was available, and, in some cases, driven back to the fields to await transport; and whether, to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, he will make representations to the Great Southern Railways with a view to maintaining transport arrangements for fairs at important centres.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport Arrangements for Fairs.
I am informed that there was no transport available for seven wagons of live stock from Ballymote Fair on 7th instant. As a result of the reduced supplies of fuel available goods trains have been reduced to four days each week and there was, accordingly, no "up" goods service through Ballymote on the date concerned by which these wagons could have been taken. The operation of a special engine from Sligo for the purpose of working seven wagons could not have been justified in present conditions. While the company is making every effort to meet all transport requirements it is obviously not possible to give any assurance against the occurrence of such incidents.
I should like to call the Minister's attention to the fact that we shall have one of the biggest lamb and cattle fairs in Ballymote in July. There will be a large number of farmers offering stock for sale and if no arrangements are made for the removal of this stock, they will have to take them home, and, therefore they will not have money to meet their June rents. I would ask the Minister to reconsider the question and to see that arrangements are made to provide transport for stock that are offered for sale by farmers at the next fair in Ballymote.
The Deputy may be sure that the company will make every effort to meet all reasonable requirements within the resources available but circumstances will inevitably develop during this period in which all traffic available cannot be moved at any particular time.