asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will give the reasons why the allowance of petrol for turf haulage to domestic consumers has been suspended; further, if he is aware that, owing to the abnormally wet season, a large amount of turf still remains on the bogs, and that, owing to the slippery state of the roads and the short hours of daylight, farmers are anxious to use lorries for the haulage of their domestic fuel supply; and accordingly, if he will restore the allowance of petrol, for this purpose, for at least another month.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Petrol for Turf Haulage.
The facilities to which the Deputy refers are ordinarily granted up to about the middle of October. I am aware of the considerations mentioned by the Deputy, and because of the bad weather this year petrol allowances for the haulage of turf to private individuals in the turf area were made available up to a much later date than usual. In addition, however, to the transport difficulties which ordinarily occur about this time, the supply position in the greater part of the turf area requires that available turf supplies be marketed through fuel merchants and diverted to the areas where they are most required. For these reasons, I am unable to restore petrol allowances for turf haulage to private domestic users in areas in which such allowances have now been withdrawn.