Vol. 232 No. 12
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he proposes to grant a merchandise licence to an English company to enable it to carry container traffic; if he is aware that the granting of such a licence will seriously affect the employment of CIE workers at the freight department in Athlone; and if the will refrain from granting a licence pending consultations with the staff concerned.
5.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the growing concern among employees of the road freight section of CIE about the possible consequences of the proposed liberalisation of transport; and, if so, if he will now make a statement on the matter.
6.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will elaborate on his statement to the Institute of Transport in Limerick on 8th February, 1968; and if he will make a detailed statement on his liberalisation plan.
7.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he contemplates changing in any way the conditions governing the road freight section of CIE; and, if so, if he will make a statement to clarify the position.
8.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he has received from the officials of the Waterford No. 2 Branch of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union a communication expressing alarm at his statement made recently in Limerick indicating his intention to liberalise port traffic and claiming that such a policy, if implemented, will mean redundancy of at least 50 per cent of present operating staff at Waterford; and, if so, if he will meet a deputation from the Union before deciding on any such policy.
9.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if in view of his recent statement concerning the road haulage industry he will now give an assurance that nothing will be done to reduce or to harm the employment level in the CIE road freight section.
10.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if his attention has been drawn to reports that new legislation may be introduced to eliminate the road freight section of CIE and referring to redundancy which this would inevitably bring in its wake; and if he will make a statement on this matter and on the future of State participation in road freight haulage.
11.
andMr. Kyne asked the Minister for Transport and Power what action his Department are taking concerning the future of the road freight haulage section of CIE; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 11 together.
I would refer the Deputies to my comprehensive statement on road freight transport policy when introducing the Estimate for my Department on 9th November, 1967. On that occasion I told the House that a long term review of road freight transport policy was being undertaken in my Department. I pointed out that some considerable time must elapse before any far reaching changes in policy could be contemplated but that in the meantime, the statutory provisions relating to the licensing of road haulage for reward would be administered as liberally as possible. In pursuance of that undertaking, I have since extended the licences of more than 300 hauliers to enable them to carry livestock anywhere within the State. I am at present considering what further concessions may be permissible, within the framework of existing legislation, to enable hauliers to operate more effectively in present conditions.
I have no plans to introduce legislation to wind up the road freight section of CIE nor are there any grounds for the fears that have been expressed of large-scale redundancy in CIE. Cross-Border road freight haulage has been greatly liberalised since 1966 without any ill-effects on CIE employment.
As I have already told the House in reply to questions on 31st January, 1968, I have under examination applications by certain Irish shipping companies under section 12 of the Road Transport Act, 1933, which provides for the grant of merchandise licences to shipping companies. In dealing with these applications I will take into account the views of CIE and of the trade unions.
Is the Minister aware that there is widespread discontent and anxiety felt by 20,000 workers employed by CIE at the present time, 300 of whom are employed in Athlone and 200 in Mullingar? Surely he realises that if he goes any further with his liberalisation policy, it is bound to affect the livelihood of those workers? Can he give us any guarantee that there will not be large-scale redundancy, that these workers will not lose their positions?
I have already indicated that to the House. There are some thousands of licensed carriers who have made representations for greater liberalisation; there is a very large number of people employed in the CIE road freight section; and there are also the interests of the exporters and the people they employ, who want to have the most efficient transport. It it my duty to reconcile the interests of all three to the best advantage. As I have already said, I am meeting the trade unions interested in the road freight section of CIE in order to hear their views on this matter.
How can the Minister reconcile those statements? If there is further liberalisation, it is bound to affect the livelihood of these employees. What other work can they do in CIE if a British-based company is allowed in here to operate?
As I have indicated, we have already carried out quite an amount of liberalisation and it has had no effect on employment in CIE.
You can go a certain distance but if you go too far——
Having regard to the concern which has been expressed in connection with this matter, am I to understand it is the intention of the Minister to have consultations with the representatives of the trade unions concerned with a view to assuring them that they need have no fear in regard to employment?
The whole matter will be discussed with them.
Will the Minister give that assurance?
We do not intend to effect the general scale of activity of the CIE road freight section.
What about the employment?
I mean the employment.
Will it be like the fellows on the B & I boats who were accidentally laid off?
When does the Minister intend to meet the trade union representatives?
In the course of the next few days.
