The Bill as it now stands is reasonably satisfactory. I regret that because of influenza I was unable to be present for the Committee Stage. The Bill, as amended, certainly meets the case put by the licensed hauliers' organisation to the Minister in respect of the existing 26-County carrier. I sincerely hope that the Bill will achieve the objectives which the Minister set out to achieve in this legislation, that is to reduce the amount of own account haulage which is going on, and that it will lead to the growth of professional transport operators and to greater professionalism in haulage.
I feel in relation to liberalisation that this Bill has gone as far as we can possibly go at the present time without endangering or jeopardising the employment of the people in the road freight section of CIE. Any further degree of liberalisation at this stage could have serious repercussions for the road freight section of CIE. I sincerely hope that the fears which have been expressed, particularly on behalf of the road freight section of CIE, will prove to be groundless when this Bill comes into operation. I hope the Minister will urge on CIE the absolute necessity of gearing up their road freight section and their sales section to ensure that all the existing employees will be maintained in secure employment. I hope the Bill will operate successfully.