asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that Córas Iompair Éireann are proceeding with a plan to replace electric trams by buses, although the former are admittedly cheaper to run; and, if so, if he will request the company not to convert their Dublin transport system into one solely dependent on imported fuel oil when electric power is available for the running of trams.

I am aware that it is the intention of Córas Iompair Éireann to replace trams by buses on the few services which have not already been converted. While certain operating costs are cheaper for trams than for buses, a tramway system as a whole is more expensive than an omnibus system. I consider that the course which Córas Iompair Éireann proposes to follow is fully justified.