asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures if he is aware that small coastal towns have adopted black-out measures, while lighthouses on the headlands near such towns are sending out million candle power flashes continuously during the night; and if he will state the reason for this inconsistency.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lighting Restrictions.
Arrangements for the immediate and simultaneous extinction of lights would not be possible in the matter of private lighting and certain necessary steps have to be taken beforehand so as to ensure that the desired restriction of lighting may be achieved satisfactorily and without undue inconvenience to the public. Arrangements can readily be made for the immediate extinction of lights in the case of lighthouses and it is hoped in any area in which the screening of private lighting is required by the Control of Lights Order, no householder will hesitate to comply with the order because of the fact that lighthouses are in operation.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary indicate when the House will have an opportunity of discussing the proposed curtailment of lighting or when the order will be issued?
That is a matter for the Taoiseach.
If it is, perhaps the Taoiseach would reply.
The order has, I understand, been issued and the general rule in matters of that kind is that they can be raised in the House by arrangement beforehand. If members of the Opposition wish to have any order discussed, they can give us notice and we shall try to arrange for the discussion.
I understood the Parliamentary Secretary to say, in reply to a similar question put by Deputy O'Higgins a fortnight or three weeks ago, that it was proposed to make the voluntary black-out statutory, that there was no statutory authority then for the black-out.
The order is issued but it does not come into force until the 18th of next month.
As and from the 18th November, is a black-out of private houses all over the country to be in operation?
If the Deputy studies the order, he will see that that is not right.
There is no question of a black-out. There is a question of lighting restrictions, which is a different thing.
By a black-out, I mean that light is to be prevented from emanating from private houses all over the country.
That is not so.
The House will meet before the order comes into operation.
The fact is that there has not been a general distribution of information with regard to this order throughout the country. When is it intended there should be a general distribution of information?
May I suggest that the Minister for Co-ordination of Defensive Measures, when making the statement which he announced he would make to-day, should refer in part of his statement to the salient parts of the order in question? The Taoiseach has very fairly said that, if the Opposition desire to raise the matter, if they notify the Chief Government Whip time will be provided to do so. If the Minister makes a full statement, any supplementary questions that may arise can be asked when he has concluded.
Possibly the Minister will refer briefly to this matter, but Deputies might remember that, as stated yesterday, this procedure was substituted for a motion designed to elicit specific information and the only question put to the Minister for Co-ordination of Defensive Measures related to one aspect of censorship.
By your wider indulgence, he might be allowed, in the special circumstances, to make a passing reference to the black-out regulations, if such a course is convenient.
I am afraid the indulgence of the Chair has been presumed on.
Possibly further indulgence will be granted.
Possibly there will be a tightening up.