asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the inadequate service of buses offered by Córas Iompair Éireann to the Dublin travelling public and of the loss of time caused to workers delayed at stopping places during their meal hour; and, if so, if he will request a better service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bus Service.
Mr. Byrne
As the Deputy is aware, the responsibility for making provision to meet the demand for transport services has been placed by the Transport Act, 1950, on the board of Córas Iompair Éireann. I have, however, asked Córas Iompair Éireann for a report in the matter and I am informed that there was an increase of approximately 3½ per cent. in the vehicle mileage operated on the Dublin city and suburban services during September, 1951 (the most recent period for which statistics are available), as compared with the corresponding month last year. A total of 465 buses are employed in these services during the peak periods. Traffic conditions in the city tend to slow down the movement of buses during the peak hours and Córas Iompair Éireann inform me that their efforts to induce large employers to stagger the lunch hours have not yet met with any great success.
Mr. Byrne
Is the Minister aware that to-day Dublin is at least 100 buses short to enable it to meet the requirements of the public? In view of the fact that this company has a monopoly, will the Minister use his influence to persuade or suggest to the company the advisability of giving an adequate service, especially in view of the fact that at least 100 drivers and 100 conductors are waiting to be called, and that the public are waiting to use the buses?
Córas Iompair Éireann do not agree that they are 100 buses short.
Mr. Byrne
We are not concerned with what Córas Iompair Éireann thinks, but with what the public representatives know. We see the people in the queues at every stopping place in Dublin. We see the queues waiting for the buses to Cabra and to Dollymount during lunch hour.
The Deputy is now making a speech instead of asking a question.
Mr. Byrne
The people are waiting in the queues, and they have not transport to take them. It is up to the Government to see that this company, which has got a monopoly, will give an adequate service.
Under the provisions of the Transport Act, 1950, for which, I understand, the Deputy voted, the whole problem was handed over to Córas Iompair Éireann, and the Minister was deprived of all power to interfere with them in the exercise of his functions.