asked the Minister for Supplies if he will consider extending permission to hackney car owners to use their cars for the conveyance of passengers to G.A.A. matches.

The present petrol supply position does not permit of the withdrawal of restrictions on the use of hackney vehicles for conveying passengers to sports fixtures and it is not proposed to make any modification in these restrictions at present.

Would the Minister not consider that the use of hackney cars should be allowed for G.A.A. matches, in view of the fact that hackney cars are allowed to go miles and miles to pictures?

I do not think it would be in the public interest to allow the use of hackney vehicles in connection with sporting events. I believe that if it were so allowed, hackney cars would not be available for any other purpose.

Is the Minister aware that hackney cars are used to take passengers to picture houses?

It could be.

Surely, in view of the great importance of the G.A.A. and the great part the G.A.A. played in the revival of Irish, the Minister or the Government ought to consider making a special exception of this case. The G.A.A. have done very great work.

I wish Deputies would realise that there has been no change in the position whatever, so far as petrol supplies are concerned, between now and this time last year.

There is unfair distribution.

Deputy Donnellan said that hackney cars are used to drive passengers to picture houses. Is that correct?

Petrol supplies are given to hackney-car owners for the purpose of providing emergency transport services for use by the public when public transport services cannot be availed of. It is not possible to lay down hard and fast rules governing every possible circumstance in which the hire of a hackney car may be undertaken by a private person. Certain specific directions have been given to hackney-car owners and they are required to conform to these directions.

You therefore give preference to dances and pictures.

There is no question of giving preference to anything.

You are doing it.

asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state the number of new permits for hackney cars issued during the present year.

The number of new permits which have been issued in respect of hackney vehicles from the commencement of the current year to date is 18. These permits were issued to ex-servicemen recently discharged with good records from the Army.