asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether lack of storage capacity for water at Ardnacrusha is mainly responsible for the deficiency in the requirements of electricity.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Storage Capacity.
Present difficulties regarding electricity supply are not due to lack of storage capacity for water in the Shannon; they are due to the continued drought and the very restricted quantities of coal which can be made available to the board.
In the event of rain coming and adequate water being available, is the Minister prepared to say that the main difficulty at Ardnacrusha will have been overcome?
There is no difficulty in utilising all the water that can be stored on the Shannon.
Is that the only difficulty that confronts us in Ardnacrusha —lack of water?
Yes.
Might I ask whether, in view of the Minister's previous answer, proposals were received by the Electricity Supply Board indicating the possibility of increasing the output of the Shannon Scheme by 100,000 kilowatts without any additional plant being installed?
I cannot say whether such proposals were or were not received by the board but I am quite certain that, if such proposals were received, they were considered impracticable.