asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the grave inconvenience caused to persons travelling via Dún Laoghaire and Holyhead during the Christmas holiday period as a result of the totally inadequate service provided by British Railways, and, if so, if he will take steps to put an end to this annually recurring inconvenience to the travelling public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-Channel Travel.
The recurring difficulties in connection with the services on the Dún Laoghaire-Holyhead route in recent years have been the subject of a number of discussions with the British Transport Commission, and at a meeting as recently as October last, the chairman of the London-Midland Area Board of the commission gave an undertaking to the Tánaiste personally that the commission would continue their efforts to improve the service and provide for the comfort and convenience of passengers. As a result certain changes have been made. I understand that, in fact, there was a substantial increase last Christmas in the number of additional sailings usually provided and that no intending passengers were left behind at either Dún Laoghaire or Holyhead. I can assure the Deputy that the importance of an adequate service is fully appreciated and that it is the intention to maintain close contact with the Transport Commission to that end.
In view of the fact that it is pretty obvious that the Dún Laoghaire-Holyhead route is overloaded, would the Minister not consider making representations to British Railways, who own the Fishguard company in part with C.I.E., as to an extensive development of the Rosslare-Fishguard route to meet the difficulties which arise not only in the Christmas season but in the summer holiday season?
The Deputy will appreciate that that opens a wider question.
Will the Minister not consider it? Why should the Irish public be held up to ransom by British Railways? Before Christmas, people were waiting for hours at Dún Laoghaire for boats. The first boat was due in at 6 o'clock but did not arrive until 10 o'clock. Two other boats took a whole day to come in. That is not a proper service to give the Irish people.
Is the Minister aware that the alternative routes outside Dublin, the routes Fishguard-Rosslare, Fishguard-Waterford, Fishguard-Cork, are very badly advertised in England?
That seems to be a separate question.
I would be prepared to answer questions about Rosslare and Waterford if they were put down. This opens up a much wider question.
I should like to make the Minister aware of that.
The Minister is perfectly well aware of it.