asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the present position of the electric generating station, using peat as fuel, projected near Portarlington, and whether any plans have been made or are being considered for its development; and in this connection if he will state if the Turf Development Board have in any year succeeded in winning and harvesting from Clonsast Bog 120,000 tons of peat fuel suitable for a generating station, and in delivering same at or near Portarlington at an average price of 10/6 per ton; and, if not, if he will state the greatest yearly output from Clonsast Bog and the lowest average price per ton for Clonsast peat delivered at or near Portarlington.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Portarlington Electric Station.
The Electricity Supply Board has completed plans for the erection at Clonsast of a generating station using peat as fuel. Tenders for this work had been obtained at the outbreak of war. It will be necessary to obtain revised tenders at the end of the emergency period. Expenditure to the amount of £6,110 has already been incurred by the board in the survey and acquisition of the site for the station and in the construction of a railway siding connecting with the Great Southern Railways system, which work is not completed.
As regards the production at Clonsast bog of turf suitable for use in a generating station, the maximum quantity so far won in any year was 45,000 tons. This annual output will of course, be considerably increased when delivery of the remainder of the machinery has been effected. The lowest average present price per ton delivered at or near Portarlington is 35/- per ton, but in this connection it will be appreciated that when the output reaches its maximum the cost per ton will be materially reduced.