asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the reasons why Córas Iompair Éireann have been given a monopoly of the transport, withing a radius of 30 or 40 miles from Cork, of manures manufactured by Messrs. Gouldings, when some seed and manure merchants, who deliver grain to Cork, can take loads of manure from Cork on the return journeys, but are not permitted to do so, thereby causing an increase in the price of manures to farmers; further, if he is aware that Córas Iompair Éireann state that they are not in a position to provide sufficient railway wagons to meet the demand for transport of manures, and that they will deliver manures by road to railheads only, thus by-passing seed and manure merchants' premises, and that they expect the merchants to take delivery from the railhead or else pay an extra charge for delivery to their stores; and if he will take steps to have the position examined, with a view to obviating the waste of transport and additional expenditure involved in the procedure at present followed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport of Manures in Cork.
I understand that Messrs. Gouldings have made arrangements with Córas Iompair Éireann for the delivery of artificial manures to merchants in the Cork area. Where sufficient wagons cannot be provided to effect prompt delivery Córas Iompair Éireann have transported manures by their road services. This has not involved any increased cost to the merchants. Messrs. Gouldings consign their products carriage paid to the railhead nearest to the merchant. I am informed that a merchant may take delivery direct from the Cork factory but the manufacturers do not make any reduction in the price charged to the merchant where this is done.
I see no reason to interfere in the arrangements made between Messrs. Gouldings and Córas Iompair Éireann.