andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he has completed his study of the inspector's report into the operation of the fifteen American diesel electric locomotives; if so, whether he is in a position to state whether with full regard for the public safety these locomotives may now be used in the public service in accordance with specifications laid down by the management of Córas Iompair Éireann both in the cab front and cab rear positions where necessary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - C.I.E. Diesel Locomotives.
27.
I have nothing to add to previous replies on this subject.
Does the Minister propose to have any information available at some future date, or will it be necessary to keep putting down questions?
It is quite unnecessary to put questions down because these diesel engines are entirely satisfactory, whether they are driven cab forward or cab rear; and all the economies and the greater efficiency they propose to bring to C.I.E. will be brought in every way.
Is the Minister prepared to stand over that in spite of the evidence put before him? Is it not a fact that the safety precautions laid down here are different from those laid down elsewhere? A complete view of the line ahead is necessary from the point of view of safety; and that clear view is not available if these locomotives are driven cab rear. Is that not a fact?
They are like the Government policy.
The Deputy is completely misinformed. I have always made it absolutely clear that these engines can be used to the end of their life only cab forward and they will still do a magnificent job and will be efficient to work. They are turned on the turntable at the end of the journey. The Deputy is obsessed with this question of going backwards and forwards.
Is it not a fact that they must be turned on the turntable? Was it not envisaged that no such turntable would be necessary when they were purchased? Is that not a fact?
They are like the Government policy.
Oh, no. They are the same as the Deputy when he joined Clann na Pobhlachta.
Does the Minister admit now that a sum of £750,000 was spent on these locomotives and that they do not come up to specification?
The Deputy's head should be turned cab forward.
As far as the Minister is concerned, he has no function over shipping, railways, or anything else. He is the small boy in his Department.