asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that extensive manure and seed merchants and lime distributors in County Wexford, who employ approximately 45 hands, have been refused a licence for one lorry to transport lime, and, if so, why the licence was refused.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lime Transport Licences.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that a farmer in County Wexford, who employs much labour and grows 100 acres of beet annually, has been refused a licence to cart lime in his lorry, although the transport facilities in the area are totally inadequate; and, if so, why the licence was refused.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together.
The transport required for the ground limestone subsidy scheme administered by Department of Agriculture is provided by C.I.E. with their own vehicles or with vehicles hired by them from limestone producers or other hauliers for the purpose. Inquiries about the hire of vehicles for the haulage of limestone should, accordingly, be addressed to the board.
I have, nevertheless, made inquiries from C.I.E. and I am informed that the persons mentioned in these questions applied to have their lorries employed on the distribution of limestone but that the fleets already engaged in this work are adequate to deal with the traffic offering.
I should like to say that, from these two cases cited, there is considerable disorganisation being created in the distribution of lime in the Gorey area and in the district south of Gorey. Would the Minister not make representations to C.I.E. to put the matter in order? One of the men mentioned has four lorries and he is not allowed to cart lime in any of those lorries, while other merchants in the area are.
I would be pleased to do that, if the Deputy were to give me further information.
I shall give the Minister all the information he wants.