asked the Minister for Transport and Power if CIE are prepared for the haulage of portion of the large harvest to be saved this autumn.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CIE Haulage of Harvest.
9.
I am informed by Córas Iompair Éireann that they are satisfied that they will be in a position to provide adequate transport facilities for the coming harvest.
Does that mean that CIE are prepared to utilise the services of private hauliers and that we will not have the fiasco we had before when the harvest was practically lost before CIE decided to use the lorries available for transport? Will they do something about it before it is too late?
Ministerial orders are made annually by me to exempt from road transport licensing the carriage of wheat to the mills. These orders remain in force for 12 months.
Will prior arrangements be made?
They are made every year regularly.
But not in time.
Yes, they are made in plenty of time. The agents know they will be free to transport these crops.
Would the Minister not be prepared to relax the regulations somewhat in view of the fact that a large portion of the grain which will be harvested in the coming year will have to be transported in bulk containers? There are a limited number of bulk containers available at this time of the year because they are involved in the haulage of lime. The Minister should realise that the harvested crops have to be transported from the field to the merchants immediately.
We cannot have a speech on this question.
Merchants and carriers are restricted by the restrictions imposed on them in the Act.
I am not aware of any restrictions which would impede the carriage of wheat. CIE have the facilities which are deemed to be necessary for this purpose.
Question No. 10.
Further arising——
I have called Question No. 10, to the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.