asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the fact that the Electricity Supply Board is now receiving coal to the full capacity of their plant, and in view of the rainfall during the month of June, and particularly as the Poulaphouca scheme is now in operation and is an added producing plant over and above the original Shannon scheme, an indication can be given as to when it is hoped that supplies of electricity will be available to the requirements of the community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Supplies.
The Electricity Supply Board has had the matter of increased generating capacity under active consideration for some time past but it cannot be stated at present when supplies of electricity will be available to meet the full requirements of consumers.
Is the Minister aware that the publication recently circulated with the accounts of the board indicates that there is something like 50,000 new consumers in the last year, and that production, generation and sale have also substantially increased? Is he aware that in fixing the quota of new consumers some consideration should be given to users who were deprived of their normal requirements during the whole of the emergency period, and who are still in the same position?
Can the Minister state when the Liffey scheme will be in full production?
The Poulaphouca project will be in full production this year, it is expected. The Leixlip project is under construction.