asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware of the hardships suffered by citizens of Dublin on account of their failure to secure adequate supplies of fuel during the past few weeks; and, if so, if he is prepared to ensure that in similar circumstances in the future when animal-drawn vehicles are unable to-deliver fuel, emergency transport is provided to carry supplies before undue and unnecessary hardships are caused.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport for Fuel.
It is possible that there were individual cases of hardship, owing to the difficulties experienced in delivering fuel recently but, having regard to the very exceptional weather conditions, all concerned with the distribution of fuel are to be complimented on the manner in which they overcame these difficulties.
That is not the question. I asked the Minister if he would see that vehicles will be made available if a frost occurs again and that hardships will not have to be borne such as were borne within the last few weeks in all parts of Dublin.
Will the Minister consider Deputy Byrne's proposal, inasmuch as Great Britain, which is engaged in a world war, can use military lorries to distribute fuel in London? If, as he admits, serious hardship accrues as a result of the difficulties of the last fortnight, surely the Minister would consider it good policy to ask his colleague, the Minister for Defence, to place similar facilities at his disposal. Will he consider that, in the event of any similar crisis?
I would say that, if those responsible for fuel distribution in Dublin can do as well again in similar circumstances, they will deserve to be complimented.
That is not what the Deputy asks. He asks if, in the future, the Minister will give a hand out to the merchants when they are using their best endeavour and are overcome by unforeseen difficulties, such as there have been recently.
They were given all the facilities asked for.
Is the Minister aware that people had to walk four and five miles from corporation housing schemes to look for small quantities of fuel in the City of Dublin and compete against others in Summerhill and other places who had not sufficient for themselves? This has caused untold hardship on some people and I ask if the Minister will see that it does not occur again and that he will make petrol-drawn vehicles available in the event of another frost.
Twenty Army lorries would do the whole thing, if he would have the courtesy to say he would do it.