asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he has received applications recently from residents in County Cork for haulage licences of a temporary or permanent nature; if so, what action he intends taking on each application; and if he will indicate the names and addresses of successful applicants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Haulage Licences.
10.
A number of applications for merchandise licences have been received in recent months from residents of County Cork.
Under the provisions of the Transport Acts, new merchandise licences or extensions to existing licences may be granted only where transport facilities in any area are inadequate and where I am of the opinion that the required facilities can be provided more effectively and more conveniently by a person other than an authorised (merchandise carrying) company, that is to say, C.I.E. in this case.
Having regard to the transport facilities being provided by C.I.E. and to the substantial number of licensed hauliers (190) with headquarters in County Cork, I am satisfied that the statutory conditions governing the grant of new merchandise licences are not fulfilled. I am, therefore, precluded by law from granting any of the applications, all of which have been refused.