asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is in a position to make a detailed statement on the reasons which led the British and Irish Steampacket Company to discontinue sea-going traffic through the port of Cork; and, if not, when he expects to be in a position to make such a statement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - B and I Traffic at Cork.
11.
I would refer the Deputy to my replies of the 12th and 14th November, 1968, to previous questions on this subject.
As the Deputy is aware, the B and I announced on the 5th November, a comprehensive freight plan framed on a national basis which included inter alia the discontinuance from the 1st January, 1969, of the present twice weekly direct service between Cork and Liverpool and its replacement by a daily service by liner train via Dublin at reduced freight rates. The plan also provided for a freight service between Cork and Swansea on the new car ferry service which is due to enter service in May, 1969. This decision was taken by the company on their own responsibility in pursuance of their statutory powers and their mandate to operate on sound commercial lines without special State subsidy or assistance. In view of the strong protests from Cork interests concerned, I asked the B and I to defer implementation of their plan in so far as it would provide for discontinuance of the Cork/Liverpool direct service from the 1st January to enable me to examine the whole plan fully and to take into account the reasoned objections of the interests in Cork which would be affected. I have asked the B and I to provide me with comprehensive and detailed information on the whole plan and I hope to receive this shortly. I have invited all the Cork interests concerned to submit to me their reasoned comments and representations on the proposals as they affect Cork and I have asked the B and I to supply to those concerned all the information which can be made available. I have not yet received the submissions from the Cork interests but I presume they are being prepared. Until I have received and examined the B and I submission and the Cork representations, I will not be in a position to make a further statement on this matter.
Does the Minister's reply mean that he, having got all the information from the different sources, will be in a position to come to a decision on this matter himself?
I shall be in a position to advise the B and I as to what I think is the right attitude to take on their part in regard to the nature of their Cork services.
Let us wipe out the verbiage. Does it mean that the B and I service from Cork will not now be closed unless the Minister approves of that course of action?
The B and I service between Cork and Swansea will be open some time in April or May next anyway and will form part of their connections with England. The question at issue is whether they should continue the Cork/Liverpool service or whether they should do the service by train to Dublin. On that issue I hope to be able to advise the B and I, after having received representations, what action they should take.
Would the Minister indicate whether the B and I will be under an obligation to accept the Minister's advice?
They are under an obligation, first of all, to report to me in regard to all their financing, although they have raised all the funds required for their re-development from their own resources and are repaying the investment on some of the ships at the same time. Every State company operates on the basis that the board have the confidence of the Minister.
That seems to indicate, if I understand the Minister correctly, that if the Minister advises that the service is to be maintained the Minister will ensure it will be maintained.
I am not prepared to say anything until I have received all the information requested.
I appreciate that.
Is it not a fact that in the south of Ireland there will be no such shipping facilities in the future?
We can look after ourselves.
Even Deputy Corry will not be able to ensure that there will be shipping facilities in the south of Ireland.