asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that the restrictions on movements of coal into turf areas will have a serious effect on the hotel and tourist industry of County Clare where tourist traffic is the principal means of living; that all the hotels and educational establishments are fitted with Aga and Esse and range cookers entirely unfitted for burning turf and if he will grant permits for the use of coal at least for the summer season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coal Supply in Tourist and Turf-Producing Areas.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The provision enabling the issue of permits for the purchase of coal in the turf counties was included in the order to meet cases in which it can be shown to my satisfaction that turf cannot be used. It should be clearly understood, however, that coal permits will not be granted in cases in which turf can be used, even though not with the same convenience as coal.
Is it to be understood that coal merchants in rural areas, whose customers have, to their certain knowledge, Aga, Esse, or A and B ranges, and no other means of cooking, may supply these customers with their normal requirements of anthracite coal?
The next question relates to that.
asked the Minister for Supplies if he has made any provision for a supply of anthracite for Aga and Esse cookers in turf-producing counties and whether coal merchants holding stocks of anthracite in these areas may continue to sell supplies to their local customers for domestic use and, if so, on what quota basis.
There is provision in the coal orders for the issue of permits authorising the purchase of coal by persons in the turf counties who show, to my satisfaction, that they are unable to use turf. Under this provision permits to purchase anthracite for current use in each ration period will be issued to persons who use Aga and Esse cookers and who have no alternative means of cooking. Coal merchants holding stocks of anthracite in turf counties may sell supplies to permit holders within the amounts indicated in the permits.
Is the Minister prepared to give an undertaking to extend the same privileges to users of motor cars who have changed over to the producer-gas apparatus?
That is a separate question.