asked the Minister for Supplies why he has allotted coal to the Electricity Supply Board in sufficient quantities to permit of 100 per cent. ration of electricity for consumers, while rural gas undertakings remain so severely rationed in coal as to make it economically impossible for them to maintain a supply of gas for their consumers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Supply Board Coal Allocations.
In reply to a similar question on 27th September, 1944, I pointed out that the favourable position of electricity supply as compared with gas supply was due not to the manner in which coal is allocated but to improved conditions on the Shannon.
These improved conditions have further made it possible, by diversion to the gas industry of coal which would otherwise be required by the Electricity Supply Board, to increase the allocation of coal for rural gas works to 100 per cent. of the pre-war consumption.
Does the Minister now allege that the rural gasworks are getting 100 per cent. of the coal they were getting pre-war?
One hundred per cent. of the quantity.
Bearing in mind the inferior quality, which is no blame to the Minister for Supplies, does he believe that the gas companies, with the coal they are getting, could increase the ration of gas which they are at present distributing?
The gas companies where?
The rural gas companies, notably the gas company in Monaghan.
That is a question I could not answer. The efficiency of gasworks in different districts varies considerably. A lot may depend upon the type of equipment available and the skill of the manager. In some districts, it might be possible that, with better equipment or more efficient management, a larger supply of gas could be made available, but I could not answer the Deputy's question in any general terms.
Is it not true that the Electricity Supply Board supplies of coal have been substantially augmented during the last few months since more considerable shipments of coal have become available, whereas no proportionate increase has been made in favour of the rural gas companies?
The reverse is the truth. Because of the abnormally wet weather, it has been possible to divert to the gasworks coal which otherwise would have had to be used by the Electricity Supply Board.
And they are getting 100 per cent. in volume of what they were getting pre-war?
The rural companies, yes.
Has the Minister seen the type of coal, or so-called coal, being supplied to the rural gas companies?
It is the only kind of coal we can get.
Is any preference shown in the quality of coals appropriated to the Electricity Supply Board as compared with rural gas companies?
No.
They are all getting the same coal?
All the coal is the same.
asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state the quantities of imported coal which were (a) allotted to and (b) used by the steam-generating plants of the Electricity Supply Board in each of the months of August, September and October of the current year.
I am not at present prepared to give the information desired.