asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that very large numbers of persons are unable to get their ration of half a gallon of paraffin per month for domestic use; and if he will state what steps should be taken by persons who find themselves in this position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Paraffin for Domestic Use.
I am aware that numbers of persons are at present unable to obtain paraffin oil for domestic use. The paramount necessity for ensuring adequate supplies for use in essential harvesting operations involves a restriction in deliveries for other purposes which, owing to the limited supplies of kerosene available, is at present unavoidable.
Has the Minister taken any steps to supervise in any way the distribution of oil in this country?
Yes.
Mr. Morrissey
Has the Minister any way of ascertaining whether the distributors distribute the oil to the various sections of the community in the way in which the Department wants it distributed?
We have, yes.
Mr. Morrissey
And the Minister is perfectly satisfied that it is being so distributed?
The Deputy is suggesting too much when he suggests that I am perfectly satisfied. I do not know to what point the Deputy is addressing his remarks, but there is control of the distribution of kerosene here. I cannot say that I am perfectly satisfied that it is being distributed in accordance with my directions, but I believe it is.
Mr. Morrissey
Let me put it in another way. Is the Minister satisfied that the proportion of oil available which should go to the type of persons named in the question is being given to those people?
There is no distribution of paraffin to traders for domestic purposes at all at the moment.
Mr. Morrissey
There is no distribution of paraffin to retailers for domestic use?
For domestic use, no.
Mr. Morrissey
Would the Minister explain what he means by that?
No paraffin is being delivered by the oil companies to traders for sale for domestic use at present.
Mr. Morrissey
None at all?
No.
So that is really the answer to my question.
Will the Minister say whether there was any distribution of oil for domestic purposes in the West of Ireland, when no distribution was made in the eastern counties, because kerosene was being used for tractors in the eastern counties?
There is no distribution at all at present.
Did what I have suggested obtain at any time?
It is only in recent weeks that the distribution of oil to traders has been suspended.
Am I to understand that there is no distribution to traders of paraffin for domestic purposes? When the Minister refers to harvesting operations, am I to understand that what is happening is that a reserve is being built up for the harvest?
Partly so. We have used already in this year, mainly for tillage operations, more kerosene than we should have used in relation to the quantities that will be available to us. That excess use of kerosene must be made up between now and the harvest, or there will be a shortage for the harvest.
If there is to be a shortage of paraffin, or a serious danger of a shortage of paraffin, for domestic purposes next winter, will the Minister now address his mind to securing a supply of candles, if not made of paraffin wax, of some other substitute, so that we may not have a situation in which the average country home in western Ireland will be left in the dark from 4 O'clock in the evening until 9 O'clock the following morning?
Mr. Morrissey
It is not confined to the West of Ireland.
I am speaking now of what I know.
I do not think the material required for the manufacture of candles will be any more plentiful.
There was a time in this country when we had no paraffin candles, and we made dip candles. I hope we shall not have to go back to the old-fashioned dip candle, but I wonder if we could not find some other material which we could employ here to supplement whatever supply of paraffin wax candles we shall be able to get?
That is being done, but even that material will not be sufficient.
The Minister will undertake to inquire into it?
Yes.
Can the Minister say when he will be in a position to release paraffin to traders?
I could not say. That will depend on deliveries. We have been informed as to the total quantity of kerosene we will receive, and if that quantity should be received, and if we make up the over-usage in the earlier months, some paraffin will be available for distribution for domestic purposes in the latter part of the year.
Is the Minister satisfied that every precaution is taken to ensure that paraffin oil is not being used in road vehicles?
I could not answer that, but I am quite certain that a number of farmers got paraffin for tractors which they did not use for tractors.