asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he can state the rates in force for the carriage of live stock in the Saorstát, in Northern Ireland, and in Great Britain for the year 1914 and at the present time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Carriage of Live Stock.
The Deputy has not named the particular stations between which he is concerned in the railway rates for live stock. Generally it may be said that these rates now stand at the following increases over 1914:—
Saorstát: A cumulative increase of 10 per cent. (subject to statutory maxima) and 100 per cent.
Northern Ireland: A cumulative increase of 10 per cent. (subject to statutory maxima) and 75 per cent.
Great Britain: An increase of 60 per cent.
But there is a large number of exceptions to this broad statement of the position. The increase in 1916 of 10 per cent., subject to statutory maxima, meant little in the case of live stock, as the actual rates were at that time very nearly up to the statutory maxima.