asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that Irish Shell, Limited, employed a man to distribute oil, kerosene, etc., for them in various depôts, as this man had a 1,200 gallon tank, tubes, etc., fitted to his lorry; if he is aware that his Department have refused to allow this man to utilise his lorry outside the 15-mile limit; and if, in view of the present demand for kerosene, he will examine the matter and give an explanation as to why his Department refused to allow this man to deliver the oil throughout the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Delivery of Kerosene.
I am not aware that Irish Shell, Limited, employed Owen Butler, of East Wall, Dublin, to distribute petroleum oils for them to various depôts or that he had a 1,200 gallon tank fitted to his lorry.
I have ascertained that Irish Shell, Limited, proposed to fit a 1,200 gallon tank, their own property, to a lorry owned by Owen Butler for distribution of petroleum oils in areas extending outside the radius of 15 miles from the General Post Office, Dublin, but as Mr. Butler is not a licensed haulier, permission to use the vehicle outside this radius could not be granted. The tank has, however, been fitted to a vehicle owned by a licensed haulier and is in use for the distribution of petroleum products.
May I point out that a statement was made here in this House by the Minister that the petrol companies were responsible for the distribution of kerosene and that a great deal of blame attached to them? Here is a case where a man was employed by Irish Shell, Limited, and the Minister, simply because he was not a licensed haulier, would not allow him to deliver kerosene in the country.
That is right, but the tank, which was owned by Irish Shell, was fitted to a licensed lorry and is now in use.