asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make representations to the Electricity Supply Board in connection with the following extensions: (l) Rathcoole village to Blackchurch; (2) Peamount Sanatorium to Newcastle village: (3) Firhousc to Oldhawn and Tallaght village and Newtown Cottages; (4) Santry Military Barracks to Turnapin Cottages; (5) Finglas to Meakstown and Dubber; (6) Coolock to Newtown Cottages; (7) Malahidc Road to Baskin Cottages, Kinsealy; (8) Baldoyle to Moyne Road Bridge; (9) Swords to Brackenstown Road Cottages; (10) Swords to Rathkeale Road Cottages; (11) main Dublin Road to Newhaggard, Lusk; (12) Balbriggan to Fleming-town; (13) Balbriggan to Soldiers' Houses, Skerries Road.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Extensions of Electricity Supply.
The answer to the Deputy's question is in the negative. I should explain, for the Deputy's information, that it is a duty of the Electricity Supply Board in normal circumstances to develop and improve the supply, distribution and sale of electricity and it would not be competent for me to interfere in the discharge by the board of that duty. Moreover, as pointed out in the reply given on 24th June, 1941, to a question by the Deputy, the board, as a matter of normal policy makes a supply of electricity available wherever it is possible to do so on a reasonably economic basis. It will be understood, however, that at present owing to shortage of coal and other supplies extensions must of necessity be severely restricted.