asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will give particulars of the number of cases under the Road Transport Act, 1933, which have been set down for hearing before the arbitrator; the number of arbitrators appointed to deal with such cases and when same are likely to be disposed of, and if the Minister will take such steps as are necessary to ensure an early hearing of all outstanding cases, as any undue delay in disposing of the cases is likely to cause considerable inconvenience in many instances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arbitration Under Road Transport Act.
Three cases under Part V of the Road Transport Act, 1933, were submitted to arbitration last year. Two of these were disposed of, and the arbitrator has been unable to complete his hearing of the third case by reason of the difficulties which the claimant has found in the presentation of his accounts. The claimant has himself been a party to the requests for adjournments.
In three other cases in which arbitration was sought the parties subsequently resumed negotiations. The number of cases now awaiting the appointment of arbitrators is seven, and it is anticipated that the Reference Committee by whom such appointments are made under Section 56 of the Act will make appointments in these cases within the next few days. I shall take all the steps open to me to ensure the most expeditious disposal of outstanding cases.