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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Feb 1991

Vol. 405 No. 1

Written Answers. - CIE Haulage Charges.

Phil Hogan

Question:

28 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the discriminate undercutting of haulage charges by the road freight section of CIE as against private haulage operators; his views on whether this is being achieved by subsidisation through the taxpayer and that this practice discriminates against private sector haulage and consequently private sector employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The road freight section of Iarnród Éireann operates as a separate commercial business within CIE. I am informed that it has recorded small profits over each of the last seven years and that it is expected to show a profit of about £0.5 million in respect of 1990.

In overall terms CIE's road freight operations account for no more than 2 per cent of the road freight industry, which is dominated by private sector hauliers. Furthermore, Iarnród Éireann does not receive any subvention from the State for its road freight haulage business.
I am assured by the Chairman of CIE that competition with private sector hauliers takes place on a market related basis and as such does not unfairly affect employment by private hauliers.
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