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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Feb 1965

Vol. 214 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-Channel Car Transport Service.

14.

asked the Minister for Transport and Power why no attempt has been made to reserve the potentially remunerative cross-Channel motor car transport services for the proposed cross-Channel State Company.

The Government in common with other governments of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) supports freedom for shipping of all flags to participate in international trade and is opposed to discriminatory action in support of national flag ships.

The British and Irish Steam Packet Co. Ltd. carried about 10,500 motor cars on its services during 1964 or nearly 40 per cent of the total.

The acquisition of the B & I cannot, of course, include the services of other shipping undertakings.

The Minister has not answered the question. Why is it that the car ferry service was not included in the acquisition of the B & I services and so have the car services operated by the new B & I Company as well as the other type of services?

I cannot follow the Deputy's question. The car ferry service to be established between Dún Laoghaire and Holyhead will be run by British Railways. We have no power to acquire a service run by British Railways. We believe, in common with other OECD Governments, that car ferry services should be subject to no discrimination.

We could have operated it ourselves.

Questions Nos. 15 and 16 postponed.

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