DÁIL IN COMMITTEE. - IRISH COAL.
Now, with regard to Irish coal; in Kilkenny recently I saw that we were using Irish coal, and I saw that there was also a supply of English coal or Welsh coal around, and, with the Engineers, I raised the question as to the difficulty, if there was any, of using Irish coal and they adapted their fireplaces in whatever way was necessary, and they are now carrying out experiments in Kilkenny with Irish coal pure and simple. We have been asked by the Government to confine ourselves in the Army to the use of Irish coal. I think a contract for something like £20,000 for Irish coal is being considered at the moment, so that we are not thoughtless in the matter of Irish coal. A point has been raised with regard to munitions—whether under the heading here, "Warlike Stores, £10,000" are covered the munitions we are using at the present moment. No. Rifles, ammunition and any field pieces that the army is being equipped with at the present moment and such like will form a part of the considerations of the financial adjustments that will take place between this country and Britain. We are not at the present moment paying for any supplies we are getting. We are getting supplies from Britain as being the most convenient and most economic trader in these things to get them from.