asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that the fuel situation in Finglas at the moment is very serious and that some people have been without fires for the past month, and that the only supply of fuel to the town and district is by means of two horse-drawn vehicles; and if he will consider (1) the granting of a permit to Finglas Parish Council to purchase 500 tons of turf in Mullingar or wherever else available, and (2) making arrangements with Fuel Importers, Limited, or a Dublin supplier to deliver 200 tons of turf to Finglas Parish Council (on payment) per month.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Fuel Supply.
I have no information at present to confirm that the fuel supply position in Finglas is as serious as the Deputy suggests and the only representations which have reached me in the matter were in the form of a telegram dated 27th ultimo as a result of which arrangements have been made for the reception of a deputation to discuss the matter with officials of my Department to-day. It is anticipated that these discussions will help to solve the existing fuel problem in Finglas, but irrespective of the discussions I should state that I am not prepared to recommend the issue by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance of a licence to remove turf purchased by the Finglas Parish Council in Mullingar or in any other part of the scheduled turf area.
asked the Minister for Supplies if, in view of the difficulties in obtaining sufficient fuel supplies in the Rathcoole, Clondalkin and Finglas area, he will arrange with suppliers in the city to deliver at least 150 tons of turf per month to these areas.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply already given to him on the 25th ultimo regarding fuel supplies for Rathcoole. I am not aware that there are any difficulties in regard to fuel supplies in Clondalkin where a fuel merchant's licence has already been granted to a nominee of the local parish council and a permit to purchase adequate supplies of turf for the area has been granted to the parish council. As intimated in a reply to another question by the Deputy, the fuel supply position in Finglas is at present under investigation.
asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that the present fuel position in Lucan is very serious and that a number of people in the Lucan area have no fuel supplies, and if he will state the reason why the fuel merchants there are not being given sufficient allowances of petrol for the haulage of turf to meet the requirements of the area, and if he is prepared to grant the local parish council a fuel merchant's licence in order to meet the demand for fuel.
Representations were made to me on the 4th instant that there was a shortage of fuel in Lucan and all aspects of the problem were discussed with local representatives and my Department on the 8th instant. The necessary arrangements are being made to ensure that adequate supplies of fuel will be available, which may involve the grant of a fuel merchant's licence to a nominee of the local parish council.
I am not aware that the quantities of petrol allowed for the haulage of turf in the area are insufficient, having regard to the general shortage of petrol.