asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, in view of the fact that CIE have withdrawn their road transport services between Sligo and Ballina, County Mayo, and have left shopkeepers stranded for receipt of goods, he will consider issuing hauliers' licences to people who are prepared to provide a service in this and other areas where CIE have ceased operations.
Written Answers. - Road Freight Services.
131.
I have been informed by CIE that following the completion in 1975 on a nationwide basis of an origin/destination survey for all traffic carried on the board's scheduled road freight services, the board felt compelled for economic reasons to effect a major pruning of its road freight services while continuing, of course, to provide service with all locations where traffic potential warranted it.
As I have previously indicated, there is no provision for subsidisation of CIE's road freight services under the subvention arrangements for CIE under EEC regulations.
Prior to November, 1975, there was a once weekly CIE road freight service with a number of points on the road between Ballina and Sligo but the survey already mentioned revealed that the traffic potential at 13 of the locations served could not justify the retention of the service to these locations and scheduled service was discontinued with effect from 3rd November, 1975.
CIE continue to provide a once weekly service from Ballina to Enniscrone—at which point there is a road freight depot where goods may be deposited or collected—and twice weekly from Sligo to Ballysodare.
Under the provisions of the Transport Act, 1944, I am precluded from considering the grant of merchandise licences except where there is an inadequacy of transport in a particular area. I am not satisfied that there is such an inadequacy in the areas in question which would warrant the grant of merchandise licences.
The Road Transport Bill, 1976, which has just been circulated, contains proposals which, if enacted, should remedy any difficulties which may arise in the future regarding the supply of road freight transport in the Mayo and Sligo areas and elsewhere in the country. The proposed exemption from control of haulage in vehicles having a maximum total laden weight of six metric tons is likely to be of particular benefit to the areas in question.