asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that goods trains removing sand from Courtmacsherry do not carry, on their return journeys, turf or general merchandise; and if he will direct Córas Iompair Eireann to provide such facilities.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Courtmacsherry Goods Trains.
I do not propose to issue a direction to the company in this matter.
Is the Minister aware that the trains return empty to Courtmacsherry from Clonakilty Junction after depositing the sand there? Does he not think that that represents a ludicrous position at the present time when turf and other things require facilities to be made available for their transport?
I think these are matters on which representations should be made to the company. The Deputy is asking if I will go and ask the company to do certain things. I do not propose to ask the company. I am informed that the vehicles which are used for the transportation of sea sand are of a special kind and are not suitable for the carriage of sundries or turf. If there are suggestions or proposals emerging out of local circumstances which the company should be asked to consider, I think that these suggestions or proposals should be sent to the company rather than that I should be asked with the very insufficient information at my disposal to give orders when I know nothing about them.
But surely the situation is such that it demands action on the part of somebody. Having regard to the fact that the Minister appointed the chairman of the company and that he is the one person in this House with responsibility to whom an approach can be made in this matter, may I ask him to say that this is not an unreasonable way to make the approach.
The Deputy may ask me to convey a suggestion to the company. I am prepared to do that at any time, but when he asks me to give the company a direction I am not prepared to give a direction except in very unusual circumstances.
I am certainly prepared to alter the form of my request. We will not quarrel about the words. Will the Minister receive the question in that form, that he will convey a suggestion to the company?
I will.