asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that a number of stonecutters in Cork City are unemployed because of the refusal of the Great Southern Railways to supply the necessary waggons from the quarries at Ballinasloe and Ragnalstown, where the stone is awaiting transport; and that the Great Southern Railways Company state that all the waggons are required for the beet campaign, and whether, in view of the fact that covered waggons are not used for the transport of beet, he will make representations to the Great Southern Railways Company to provide the necessary waggons for the haulage of the stone.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Carriage of Stone to Cork.
I have no evidence that there is unemployment among stonecutters in Cork City or that there is a lack of transport for stone from Bagnalstown and Ballinasloe to Cork. On 27th ultimo there were only three stonecutters on the Live Register at Cork Employment Exchange. At the same date there were no outstanding orders for waggons for stone from Bagnalstown, while at Ballinasloe there were orders for three waggons only for stone, only one of which was for Cork. This requisition is being filled immediately.
The Deputy's suggestion that covered waggons should be supplied for the transport of stone if open waggons are not available would not be practicable. Apart from the fact that covered waggons would be unsuitable for this traffic, they are all fully utilised at the present time in the transport of grain, flour, sugar and other essential and perishable foodstuffs.