asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the delay in the delivery of cement in County Donegal; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Cement Deliveries.
26.
No complaints of the nature referred to by the Deputy have been received in my Department.
I have had inquiries made and I am informed that, when the normal route for the transport of cement to County Donegal, namely the Portadown/Derry railway line, was closed down on 14th February, 1965, an alternative service was provided by CIE, in conjunction with the Ulster Transport Authority by the remaining rail route. This runs via Antrim and Coleraine to Derry. Delivery by road is effected from the Derry railhead, and special demountable flats have been introduced to expedite transfer from rail to road transport.
A combination of factors, which might be described as teething troubles in the use of the new equipment and facilities at Derry, had resulted in some initial transport delays, but I was assured that care was taken to ensure that nobody was left short of supplies. The measures described are, however, expected to eliminate delays, at an early date.