asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if there has been an increase in coal imports sufficient to enable an increased allocation to be made to owners of steam threshing machines, as turf is not a suitable fuel for the operation of those machines.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coal for Threshing Machines.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that serious loss and inconvenience have been sustained by farmers in recent years arising from the fact that coal was not available for threshing purposes; and if he will take steps to ensure that adequate supplies of coal will be made available to the owners of steam threshing sets for the coming harvest operations.
I propose to take questions Nos. 2 and 3 together. A slight improvement in the supply of coal in recent months has made it possible to increase for this season the allowance of coal to owners of registered threshing sets from 5 tons to 10 tons.
Would the Minister consider further increasing the allocation?
It is not possible to do so. The increased supply of coal has not been considerable.
Has there been any improvement in the quality?
I do not think so.