asked the Minister for Local Government whether, in order to remove doubts, he will introduce legislation to provide that a farmer owning an agricultural tractor taxed at £8 under paragraph 4 (c) of Part I of the Schedule to the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act, 1952, will be entitled, when carrying his cattle to or from a fair or market, to carry in such trailer or on the tractor a neighbouring farmer who is proceeding to or from such fair or market.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport by Agricultural Tractors.
I am not prepared to introduce the legislation suggested by the Deputy.
Surely, Sir, farmers ought to be permitted to take their neighbours in their tractors and trailers? Surely this is not a departure from what has been happening all down the years?
There are many new departures from the time about which the Deputy is talking. What the Deputy should realise is that the £8 tax he is talking about is a concession. In its present form, it is purely a concession and nothing more.
Would it not be absolutely necessary for a farmer taking cattle to a fair or market to take the owner of the cattle in the tractor or trailer? The point I am making is that it is absolutely essential to bring in this amendment if it is to be of any value.
Would the Minister not consider the concession asked for by Deputy Wycherley? It is not an extraordinary concession. If it is not given it can only cause irritation and hardship, both to the farmers and to the Guards, who may feel bound to prosecute in the frivolous cases that must certainly arise out of this legislation.
I think it would be well to point out to the House that any farmer who has a tractor, properly insured for the purpose it is used, can have his policy changed to carry his neighbours or passengers provided no reward is sought for or obtained.
Do I take it that a farmer with an £8 tax tractor and trailer properly insured can carry a neighbour along with his live stock to and from a fair or market if he so wishes?
It has nothing to do with what he carries; it is what type of insurance he has.
If the tractor and trailer are insured for that purpose, can he do so without infringing the law?
If the tractor is properly insured for the purpose, surely the circumstances themselves indicate what they mean? If it is properly insured as the Deputy suggests, there can be no crime in doing the job it is insured for.