asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will consider granting licences to carters in cities, towns and villages, who are engaged in local delivery and haulage from and to CIE stations, to allow them to use mechanically propelled vehicles not exceeding thirty cwts. to replace horses and carts used at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Haulage Licences for Carters.
24.
Under the relevant provisions of transport legislation, I can grant new merchandise licences only where existing transport facilities in an area are inadequate and the required additional facilities can be provided more effectively and conveniently by a person other than an authorised (merchandise carrying) company.
I am informed by CIE that they employ a number of private hauliers for collection and delivery to and from stations, some using horses and carts and others using motor vehicles plated by CIE. CIE would be prepared to consider a changeover by such contractors from horse to motor traction. Only a limited number of private carriers operate horse transport, other than by contract with the Board, to and from CIE Stations. These are generally in competition with the Board's own collection and delivery services. As the Board is prepared to provide any transport facilities required in these cases no question of inadequacy of transport or of the issue of merchandise licences arises.