asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been called to the inadequate arrangements made by the Great Southern Railways Company, Limited, for the transport of cattle from the Ballymote and Boyle fairs held on the 6th and 11th instant respectively; if he is aware that only 17 waggons were made available at Boyle Station for the transport of over 500 cattle and that the owners had to wait from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. before sufficient waggons arrived from Sligo, and that in the meantime many owners had taken their cattle home as they could not afford to wait; that a practically similar state of affairs was experienced at Ballymote Station on 6th instant; and if he will make representations to the company so that in future sufficient waggons may be made available for the transport of cattle in such circumstances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Transport Arrangements.
I am informed that 18 waggons were made available at Boyle for the fair held on the 11th September. The number of waggons required for the corresponding fair in 1943 was 20. When the railways company were advised of the extent of the fair they provided a special train from Sligo. This train arrived at Boyle at 2 p.m. but loading could not be undertaken until the passenger train had been dealt with. The total number of waggons loaded at Boyle was 49.
With regard to the Ballymote Fair held on the 6th September a special train of 37 waggons was made available at Sligo but owing to fuel difficulties the train was over an hour late leaving Sligo.
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.