(North Kerry) asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that cattle traders are reluctant to attend fairs at Dingle, County Kerry, due to the fact that the arrangements made by C.I.E. for the transport of cattle since the complete closing down of the Dingle railway are inadequate inasmuch as (1) there is not a single loading ramp for the company's lorries and (2) there are not sufficient pens to hold cattle while awaiting arrival of the lorries; and if he will request C.I.E. to make sufficient transport available at an early hour each fair morning so that cattle sold may be moved off without undue delay.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport of Cattle at Dingle.
(North Kerry) asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will request C.I.E. to make arrangements by which cattle traders may be accommodated by granting them a through rate by lorry and rail for the transport of cattle from Dingle fairs to their destination.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.
The responsibility for providing adequate transport facilities has been placed by the Transport Act, 1950, on the board of C.I.E., who are free to fix their own rates and charges. Any representations in regard to the matters referred to by the Deputy should, therefore, be made direct to the board. I understand, however, that all C.I.E. live-stock lorries are equipped with loading ramps, that the construction of additional cattle pens at Dingle has been authorised and that there has been no falling off in the numbers of live stock carried by C.I.E. from Dingle fairs since the branch line ceased to operate.