asked the Minister for Transport and Power if a contract with a Belgian firm has been placed or is being considered for the supply of 75 omnibuses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Omnibus Contract.
8.
The answer to the Deputy's question is in the negative.
A contract has, however, been placed by CIE with a Belgian firm for the re-bodying of 16 tour coaches. These coaches have reached the end of their useful life as tour coaches, but as the engines, transmissions and chassis are still quite serviceable the old bodies have been removed and new bodies are being fitted by the Belgian contractor. The Minister for Industry and Commerce has recommended duty-free import facilities for these coaches on the grounds that no Irish body builder was in a position to meet CIE's requirements.