asked the Minister for Transport and Power why an application from Westport, County Mayo, for a private bus licence to serve the Westport, Knappagh, Erriff and Leenane areas in County Mayo was refused.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Westport Private Bus Licence.
15.
The application made to me for a licence to operate an omnibus service between Westport and Renvyle Castle was refused pursuant to my statutory obligation under Section 11 of the Road Transport Act, 1932, to have regard to the necessity for the proposed service in the light of the existing passenger services on or in the neighbourhood of the proposed route.
Further representations have since been made to me and these are at present under examination.
Is the Minister aware that no bus has ever served that route? The Westport Urban Council have made representations to the Minister and their request has been refused. C.I.E. will not provide a service. There is a man now who is willing to provide such a service but by his attitude the Minister is depriving the people of that area of something to which they are justly entitled. I would ask the Minister, when the Urban Council of Westport come before him again to renew their application, to give the case fair consideration. In a similar case in Achill where the service was already adequate the Minister issued eight licences. That is discrimination against the people of Westport.
The matter is under consideration. It has not been been disposed of and is under consideration.
There is an election coming up.