asked the Minister for Supplies if he can state the reason for fixing the price of turf on the basis of weight, and if in view of the fact that the sale of turf by weight reacts against the proper drying out of turf he will take steps to promote the sale of turf by the cubic yard or other standard measure subject to its being graded as to quality.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Turf Sales.
I have fully considered the basis on which the price of turf should be fixed and am satisfied that in the interests of the consumer the best method is by weight. The views of the Deputy as to the merits of fixing the price by some other standard are open to argument, but in any event they involve the grading of turf for quality which could not be undertaken whilst there is the necessity of getting immediate supplies to the non-turf areas. With regard to the suggestion that the sale of turf by weight reacts against the proper drying out of turf, Fuel Importers, Ltd., who are purchasing all the turf from the turf area for sale in the non-turf areas, are taking precautions to ensure that they will not take delivery of turf which is not up to a reasonable standard.
Is the Minister aware that, although it is true that turf is being taken here to the city in that form, when it arrives here it is thrown like stones in yards where it absorbs all the rain that falls? I heard the Minister say yesterday that there was a decrease of 20 per cent. in the weight of the turf, whereas in reality there is an increase of 30 per cent.
The turf that is now going into consumption is not coming from the stores. It is going into consumption as it arrives. The stores are being left undisturbed as far as possible.
Is the Minister aware that the practice of leaving the turf in the open when it arrives here in the city has the effect of increasing the weight of it because of the amount of moisture it absorbs? The suggestion in the question is that turf should be sold not by weight but by the bushel or the box. It should also be provided that the turf would not contain more than a certain percentage of moisture. In that way steps could be taken to ensure that the people in Dublin were getting dry turf, leaving out the question of quality altogether.
Is the Minister not aware that whether turf is sold by weight or measure it is absolutely necessary that it should be graded because there are different qualities of turf? Even if we continue the present system of weight it is essential that grading should also take place. The grading would not involve very much additional trouble or expense.
It would involve both additional trouble and expense.
Is the Minister aware that dry turf, even of bad quality, is better than wet turf of good quality?
Certainly.