asked the Minister for Supplies whether he has received an application for a supplementary petrol supply from Richard Mellotte, of The Neale, Ballinrobe, County Mayo (vehicle No. IZ.4547); whether he is aware that Mr. Mellotte is the only egg exporter in that area and cannot collect and export eggs in accordance with the regulations of the Department of Agriculture owing to the insufficiency of his petrol ration; and whether in the circumstances the Minister is prepared to increase his petrol allowance.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I regret that it is not possible to make an individual exception to the general rule of treating motor vehicle owners engaged in the same class of business on the same basis.

Is the Minister aware that egg shippers have to export their eggs every two days and that, in order to comply with that requirement, they want extra petrol? Is the Minister prepared to do anything about that?

The Deputy's question related to an individual case. The person mentioned in the question is receiving the same quantity of petrol as every other person engaged in the same business.

asked the Minister for Supplies what steps he intends taking in the event of an emergency in regard to the supplying of petrol for Red Cross units.

The matter referred to in the question, concerning which representations were received recently from the Irish Red Cross Society, is at present having consideration.

asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that owing to the shortage of petrol certain wholesale merchants in County Cavan are unable to deliver supplies of seeds and manures to retail merchants, with the result that crops cannot be sown; and, further, if he is aware that owing to the policy of the Department of Local Government and Public Health in the construction of main roads, horses cannot use these roads to replace motor vehicles; and if he will say what steps he proposes taking to deal with the situation.

I am not aware that the position is as stated in the first part of the question. Wholesale merchants in County Cavan are being treated in the matter of petrol supplies in the same manner as wholesalers engaged in the same class of business elsewhere. The remaining parts of the question should be addressed to the Minister for Local Government and Public Health.

Where there is no alternative service and where the nearest railway station is ten miles off, provision should be made for lorries.

Provision is made.