asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that Mr. M. Maguire, 15 Ben Edar Road, Arbour Hill, has been deprived of his permit for lorry IP. 2052, which he uses in his business as fish merchant; that Mr. Maguire has been engaged his whole lifetime in this business, and that he is thereby deprived of earning a livelihood for his wife and six children; whether Great Northern Railway lorries are being given a monopoly of this work; and whether, in view of the circumstances in Mr. Maguire's case, he will have the permit restored.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Refusal of Lorry Permit.
I am aware that the permit for Mr. Maguire's lorry, No. IP.2052, which was used by him for the hawking and retail delivery of fish, has been withdrawn, in common with those of other traders similarly employed. Owing to the deterioration of the petrol supply position, it is not possible to make provision for the issue of petrol for motor vehicles employed on work of this kind.
A public transport service for the transport of fish from Howth to Dublin has been provided by the Great Northern Railway, but that company has not been given a monopoly of the transport of fish.
I regret I am unable to restore the permit and petrol allowance in the case of Mr. Maguire's lorry, but if the vehicle is fitted with a gas-producer plant I am prepared to issue a permit and the usual priming allowance of two gallons of petrol per month when the fitting of the plant has been completed.
Would the Minister state whether he is bringing the same pressure to bear on the Great Northern Railway lorries, with regard to the fixing of gas-producer plants on lorries, as he has brought in the case of other companies?
Yes.