asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will have an inquiry made into the failure of Córas Iompair Éireann to provide a bus service for the residents of Jones' Road, Clonliffe Road, and Russell Street districts and also into their failure to provide adequate services in Sheriff Street and Spencer Dock areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin City and County Bus Services.
Mr. Byrne
The responsibility for making provision to meet the demand for public transport services has been placed by the Transport Act, 1950, on the Board of Córas Iompair Éireann. The matter is, accordingly, one which should be taken up direct with Córas Iompair Éireann.
Mr. Byrne
If the board, which was given a monopoly by the Government, does not give the services when they are appealed to, is it not the duty of the Government to see that they will give that public service? After all, the Government gave the monopoly to the board.
As I explained, the position is defined in the Transport Act of 1950, which the Deputy supported. That Act places the responsibility in these matters solely on the Board of Córas Iompair Éireann and ensures that the Minister for Industry and Commerce has no function in the matter.
Mr. Byrne
If Córas Iompair Éireann do not give the service when they are appealed to, to whom should the public appeal in order to get the service to which they are entitled? God knows, they pay high fares to get adequate service.
The Minister's brother.
Order.
Mr. Byrne
Will the Minister make a recommendation to Córas Iompair Éireann?
I suggest that the Deputy make to Córas Iompair Éireann the representations which he desires to make. Knowing the composition of the board, the Deputy may be sure that his representations will receive just as much consideration as mine would.
Mr. Byrne
Various public representatives of the district in question have made representations and these representations are ignored by a monopoly.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is now in a position to say when it is proposed to provide a bus service for Redesdale and Kilmacud, Stillorgan, County Dublin.
I am informed that the position is still as indicated in the reply which I gave to the Deputy on 31st October last.
I received yesterday a suggestion relating to this matter from the Mount Merrion Residents' Association which I am having conveyed to Córas Iompair Éireann for consideration.