asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will have all restrictions on private lorries used for the transport of fresh herrings removed during the period 15th October to the 15th January each season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport of Herrings.
I am satisfied from the inquiries I have made that the public transport operators are in a position to provide any transport required for this traffic. In the circumstances, I cannot agree to this request.
Is the Minister aware that at the ports of Bunbeg and Burtonport this year considerable quantities of fresh herrings remained unsold, through the inability of public transport companies to provide transport for the fresh herrings throughout the country and, in view of that fact, will he reconsider the position?
My information from the company operating the transport service is that they have traffic controllers at Gweedore and Burtonport and operating stations at Bunbeg, Burtonport and Downings and they have lorries ready to handle all traffic offering at these stations and that they could still handle ten times as much traffic as they are getting.
Would the Minister consult the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, who will be able to enlighten him much better than I could?