asked the Minister for Supplies whether his attention was directed to the announcement of an auction to be held at the premises, 48 Lower Beechwood Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin, on January 23rd last; whether he is aware that one of the lots offered for sale was six tons of coal; whether he is aware that the coal, which had been hoarded by a non-national, was sold at the rate of £5 per ton, and whether he will indicate the action he took in regard to the sale when the matter was brought to the notice of his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Coal.
I am aware that an auction of goods at the address mentioned was advertised and that one of the lots was a quantity of coal. The attention of the auctioneer was drawn to the provisions of the Emergency Powers (Control of Fuel) Order, 1941, and the coal was withdrawn from the auction sale and disposed of to a licensed fuel merchant. So far as the purchase of coal is concerned, there is no discrimination between nationals and non-nationals; and, as regards the Deputy's reference to hoarding, I have no information to suggest that the coal was not purchased in accordance with the advice given publicly by the Government to all citizens a considerable time before fuel was rationed. The price mentioned by the Deputy as having been paid for the coal is possibly correct; the payment of such a price does not, in the circumstances, constitute any offence.