asked the Minister for Transport and Power why a person in County Kerry (name supplied) has been refused a haulage licence in view of the fact that public transport provided by CIE cannot meet the demand in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Kerry Haulage Licence.
73.
Under section 115 of the Transport Act, 1944, I may extend the operation of any merchandise (existing carrier's) licence or grant a merchandise licence to any person if it appears to me that the existing merchandise road transport facilities in any area are inadequate.
In the case the Deputy has in mind I have received representations to the effect that CIE cannot meet the demand in the area but only one case of a specific shortcoming on the part of CIE has been established. CIE have offered on a number of occasions to meet the parties concerned to discuss their transport needs but the offer has not been taken up nor have the parties called on CIE transport for a considerable time. Apart from CIE the area is served by a number of licensed hauliers. I am not satisfied, therefore, that there is an inadequacy of merchandise road transport facilities in the area.