asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that tractor owners in County Roscommon who pay an annual tax of £8 are prohibited from drawing turf for hire or reward and from bringing milk to creameries; and, if so, if he will, in the interests of increased agricultural production, take steps, if necessary by the introduction of proposals for legislation, to enable these tractor owners to engage in all types of agricultural work, including the haulage of fertilisers, sea sand, building and other materials and the bringing of milk to creameries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Tractors.
Farmers who own tractors taxed at the special rate of £8 are permitted to haul, not only for their own use, but also for other farmers provided no charge is made, the various items mentioned in the Deputy's question. It is not proposed to introduce legislation extending this concession to cover haulage for reward.
Is the Minister aware that for the purpose of facilitating creamery milk suppliers, the Department of Industry and Commerce made concessions permitting neighbours to haul neighbours' milk for reward without a carrier's licence? Inasmuch as that exception is made in order to avoid forcing 12 men to go to the creamery every day where one could do it, would the Minister not consider extending the tax exemption for the same limited purpose only?
Where there is cooperation such as is cited by the Deputy, there would appear to be no difficulty in getting over this matter.
Where a number of farmers agree to pay so much a gallon to one of their number or to the son of one of their number, in order to avoid bringing 12 or 14 men to the creamery, the Department of Industry and Commerce have made concessions to facilitate that procedure. Could not the Minister for Local Government consider making the concession proposed by Deputy McQuillan in respect of creamery milk, if not in respect of the other materials?
This whole question was debated very fully during the discussion on the proposals which were before the House 12 months ago, and I do not think there is any point in our going into them again here.