asked the Minister for Supplies if it is the intention of his Department to have all cargoes of gas coal brought into the Port of Dublin, and distributed from there to the different gas undertakings in other parts of the country; if so, whether consideration has been given to the effect of such action on the finances of other port authorities, and on the employment given at each port.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports of Gas Coal.
Every effort will be made to arrange for the shipment of each cargo to the port most convenient and economically suitable, having regard to the location of the gas undertakings for which the cargo is intended.
Does that mean that the arrangement the Minister has in mind will not prevent a local gas manager making his own arrangements to get in his coal?
There is nothing to prevent his trying.
Will the Minister endeavour to have the coal shipped directly into a port like Wexford, where there are all kinds of facilities? If the coal is brought into the port of Dublin and distributed from there, it will mean that in Wexford there will be an increase in the price of gas of at least 2d. per therm and a consequent increase in the price of coke, and this will react on the poorer elements of the community. Will the Minister make every effort to have it shipped directly to local ports?
Oh, yes.