asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the public concern in regard to freight charges on the Galway-Aran service; and if he will take legislative steps to enable him to investigate these charges.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway-Aran Service: Freight Charges.
13.
Under the Transport Act, 1958, C.I.E. are authorised to fix such charges as they think fit for any service they provide, and it is not proposed to introduce amending legislation to alter this position.
The Deputy is no doubt aware that C.I.E. are already operating the Galway-Aran service at a substantial loss. In the year ended 31st March, 1960, the loss on the service amounted to £9,112.
Does the Minister agree that it is right that this undertaking should charge them the price, or more than the price, of an article to transport it from the mainland?
My information is that the freight charges in that service are much less than corresponding freight charges on the mainland.
Would the Minister state that there is no hope in the immediate future of the service being operated at a profit?
That is a silly supplementary because the Deputy knows that that service has had to be subsidised since 1891 and also that the people of Aran have no alternative service.