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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Mar 1947

Vol. 104 No. 18

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Curtailment of Railway Goods Services.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the present curtailment of Córas Iompair Éireann services has created very serious problems for farmers and merchants in the transportation of goods and merchandise; and if he will arrange, during this period of dislocation, to allow vehicles of any kind whatsoever to carry goods and merchandise for reward.

The transport position is being kept under constant examination. Direct road freight services have been put into operation from the principal supply centres linking in many cases with the distributive road services attached to country railheads. In addition to their own vehicles Córas Iompair Éireann have organised a pool of private hauliers resident in Dublin as an auxiliary fleet to augment their own vehicles in conveying lorry load traffic to all parts of the country. Private hauliers resident in the country districts are now being brought into this pool of transport and the network of the services is rapidly being extended.

I do not consider that transport facilities for the equitable distribution of essential supplies throughout all parts of the country would be improved by the adoption of the proposal contained in the question. The extension of the public road transport services which is being effected ensures the fullest utilisation of available vehicles and the more effective control of petrol supplies allocated for goods haulage. Furthermore, it provides that facilities are equally available to all persons and generally throughout the country, and that public transport is provided on a published scale of charges. It also prevents a possible diversion of existing haulage facilities from essential fuel traffic to more lucrative but less important work.

While changes in existing arrangements will be made if circumstances so require, I am strongly of the opinion that it is preferable to endeavour to deal with the situation by the extension of the services of statutory transport undertakers than by any other method. A proposal for the utilisation by Córas Iompair Éireann of the carrying capacity of private motor lorries, when returning unladen to their base, is at present under examination.

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