andMr. Manley asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the frequency of cattle mart sales in various centres of County Cork, and of the inadequacy of licensed transport in catering for haulage to and from these marts, he will, in the interests of the live-stock trade, extend the same facilities in respect of live stock to unlicensed hauliers as obtain for the haulage of milk and wheat.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport for Cattle Mart Sales.
I am not aware of any such inadequacy of licensed transport as is stated in the question. There are C.I.E. lorry depots at seven centres in County Cork and, in addition, there are 180 hauliers in the county whose licences authorise the carriage of live stock.
Does the Minister realise that these marts are held once a week and that the fairs were formerly held once a month? Further does he realise that the tendency now is to transport all live stock to these marts and to transport them back again from the marts and that it is of paramount importance that the. private hauliers should get these facilities in the interest of the live-stock trade?
We shall discuss whether we are going to develop private or public transport at a later date.
I am convinced that the greatest barriers to progress are the fantastic anomalies arising from the legislation passed in this House over the years.
Can the Minister say if adequate steps are being taken against illegal haulage from such marts?
I wish I could be sure that adequate steps were being taken.