asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether all the new double-deck omnibuses, which have been recently and are being at present imported and assembled by Córas Iompair Éireann, are being absorbed into the Dublin City and County services; and whether some of the buses replaced by such new ones are being transferred to Cork City; and if he will make representation to Córas Iompair Éireann to ensure that a fair proportion of such new buses be provided to replace the now obsolete double-decker buses which have been in use in the Cork City services since 1934 and 1935.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Buses for Cork City.
There is an urgent need to provide additional omnibuses in Dublin City to meet the growing traffic demands, and for this reason the new double-deck omnibuses have been assigned to the Dublin City services. I am informed that Córas Iompair Éireann are not unmindful of the needs of Cork City, and suitable arrangements to meet those needs will be made as soon as opportunity offers. In the circumstances, I do not consider it would be desirable to make a special representation to Córas Iompair Éireann, as suggested by the Deputy.
Is the Minister not aware that some of the buses that have been in use in Dublin for some years are now being transferred to the Cork City service and are being replaced in Dublin by new buses?
I am not so aware. I would point out that those new buses have not been by way of replacement. They have been by way of an addition to the number of the existing buses and the old ones are still operating.
They are still going down to Cork.
Can the Minister assure me that a fair proportion of the new buses will be allotted to Cork City?
I am giving the Deputy the information I have got from Córas Iompair Éireann.