asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the fact that the turf cutting season is now at hand he will fix a minimum price for reasonably good turf at the bogside, the price to operate from September and during the coming winter.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Turf.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the fact that the quantity of turf cut during the present season will be mainly governed by the attitude of his Department regarding future imports of coal, he will give an early assurance that such future imports will not militate against the sale of all reasonably good turf marketed this season.
I propose to reply to Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together. I would draw the Deputy's attention to the statement issued by my Department which appeared recently in the principal newspapers to the effect that the Turf Development Board, with the authority of the Government, would take steps to ensure a good market for all turf offered for sale. The precise steps by which this assurance can be best given effect to are under consideration. I can promise the Deputy that the assurances stand and will be implemented in an effective way, details of which will be announced in due course. In the meantime, I repeat what I said in reply to a question yesterday that I wish to urge most strongly that all users of coal in areas adjacent to bogs should, in their own interests, make arrangements at once for an adequate supply of turf to meet their needs.
I wonder if the Parliamentary Secretary is aware that it will be impossible for people living adjacent to bogs to buy turf soon seeing that every coal merchant and every lorry owner in the cities is chasing out and buying up all the available turf. Is he also aware that the present price for turf in part of his constituency may result in a shortage?
That is a separate question. I do not think there is any danger that there will be any shortage in my constituency.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that many tenant purchasers in their agreements with the Land Commission undertook not to cut turf for sale on their turbary? Will he consult with the Land Commission, with a view to co-ordinating the efforts of his Department with that of the Land Commission in order to secure supplies of turf, and also to conserve deposits of turf which are vital to the economy of holdings that the Land Commission has created?
I agree with the Deputy's view that the deposits of turf to which he refers should be conserved, and I understand that the Land Commission propose to make available for the coming season turf banks in their possession.