asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware of the relatively unfavourable position in which the gas industry has been placed in comparison with the Electricity Supply Board owing to the disparity between the quantities of coal allocated to these industries respectively; that, as a result, the production of gas has been restricted to 60 per cent. of normal output, whereas the Electricity Supply Board is enabled to maintain an almost normal output; and if, in view of the large amount of employment which the gas industry provides, he will take steps to ensure that the industry will be given some easement of its present disadvantageous position with regard to the allocation of gas-producing fuel.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Position of Gas Industry.
The suggestion in the question that the relatively favourable position of electricity supply as compared with gas supply is due to the manner in which coal is allocated is incorrect. As indicated in the recent statement by the Electricity Supply Board the relaxation of the restrictions on electricity consumption is due to the high level of the inflow into the River Shannon. Moreover the board was not in a position to maintain an almost normal output during the period of low rainfall.
The gas industry is given a very high priority in so far as its coal requirements are concerned and gets all the gas-producing fuel which is available for the industry.
Would the Minister say whether the coal situation at the moment is such as to hold out any hope that the hours of gas supply in Dublin and elsewhere might be extended in the near future?
No, the coal situation is not such as to hold out any such hope.
In view of the improvement in regard to the electricity supply and the fact that there have been substantial increases in imported coal, would the Minister be prepared to give further consideration to the position of the gas industry? I am sure the Minister will admit that it is a very large source of employment and that the use of coal by that industry is far more beneficial in creating employment than it is in the case of the Electricity Supply Board.
I am as anxious as anyone could be to increase the hours of supply of gas, but there is, I think, little prospect that the coal situation will so improve in the near future as to permit of it.
Will the Minister inquire into the position to see if it is not possible to allocate to the gas industry a better quality of coal now than they have been receiving for some time?
If we get the better quality coal we will give it to the gas industry all right.
I understand a substantial quantity of good coal has recently been imported but, of course, it has been of no benefit to the gas industry. I understand that the Kilkenny Gas Company, for instance, have made very full representations to the Minister. I invite the Minister now to make a public statement as to what consideration he has given to those representations.