asked the Minister for Transport and Power if it is the policy of Córas Iompair Éireann to go over entirely to diesel locomotives; and, if so, what was the cost and the number of all diesel locomotives purchased this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - C.I.E. Diesel Locomotives.
31.
I am informed that while it is the Board's objective to substitute diesel for steam traction no final decision as to whether a limited number of steam locomotives should not be retained for special traffics, has been taken. Fifteen diesel locomotives costing £792,000 were acquired by the Board since 1st January, 1961.
Do I take it then that this headline in the Irish Press, that you bought £2,000,000 worth, is incorrect? I refer to the headline of October 28th, 1961.
That is a separate question.
It is an entirely separate question. C.I.E. have been buying diesel engines continuously. The number is constantly increasing. The number of steam engines is decreasing. The final decision as to whether they will have a few steam engines for special purposes has not yet been taken.
Will you make sure that they will be capable of travelling in either direction, not like the American locomotive?
The American locomotive is working excellently.
The Irish Press was wrong, as usual—is that the answer?