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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Jun 1961

Vol. 189 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-channel Traffic Facilities.

26.

asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is satisfied that the facilities available for cross-channel traffic between this country and the United Kingdom are sufficient in the forthcoming holiday season to obviate the discomfort and frustration that have been imposed on travellers to this country in recent years.

The provision of adequate facilities for cross-channel passenger traffic is primarily a matter for the shipping companies, but I have lost no opportunity to press, in cooperation with Bord Fáilte, for improvements in the services. Further improvements, which have been announced over recent months, should have a significant effect in the coming season. These improvements include:

(1) Reduction in the number of passengers carried on the larger mail-boats to increase comfort, with an increased number of sailings at peak periods to offset the resultant loss of capacity;

(2) Completely new sailings, with special connecting trains;

(3) Additional platform and Customs accommodation at Holyhead to expedite traffic;

(4) Extension of sailing ticket control to connecting trains for Holyhead, to prevent stranding of intending passengers;

(5) Increased catering facilities on connecting trains;

(6) Overall increase of 50 per cent. in carrying capacity for tourists' cars; and

(7) A further instalment of the continuous series of improvement works which are being carried out at Dún Laoghaire Pier by the Commissioners of Public Works.

An English paper recently published a statement that young girls were molested by drunks on the cross-channel service. Will the Minister do something about supervision——

That is an entirely different matter.

I do not think it is.

Does the Minister advisedly say that the primary responsibility in respect of the matters raised in the question belongs to the shipping companies? Would it not be more true to say that the primary responsibility rests with the Minister for Transport and Power of this country? So long as the shipping companies are carrying out their duties, he has no obligation to interfere but surely he will agree that the primary responsibility for satisfactory transport facilities is his.

I was trying to make it clear that the shipping companies are not under the control of the Department. We, through Bord Fáilte, use all the influence we can command to see that the services improve and to bring pressure to bear on all the persons concerned.

Admitting they are not under his control, if the primary responsibility is his are there not other sanctions at his disposal, in the form of the provision of alternative transport, if the existing companies refuse to meet the reasonable requirements of the travelling public?

I am hoping these improvements will prove to be real in every sense. We shall be watching the situation.

I trust the Minister will bear in mind that his is the primary responsibility.

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