asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has received representations from the peninsula of Berehaven to the effect that the domestic ration of paraffin has not been delivered to householders since November, and that the supply of candles in the district is scarce; and if he will state what steps he proposes to take to remedy the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Paraffin Supplies.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has received complaints regarding the non-delivery for a considerable time to the householders in the rural districts of Schull, West Cork, of their ration of paraffin oil; and if he will state what steps he proposes to take to ensure regular and early delivery of the ration in future.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the reasons why there has been no distribution of kerosene in most areas in County Cavan for the months of November and December; if he is aware of the grave hardships caused to the country people who are thus deprived of their quota of kerosene; and if he will take the necessary steps to see that this inconvenience is remedied with all possible speed.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that no supplies of kerosene reached the County Sligo for the month of November nor have any supplies arrived since; if he will state the causes of this hold up in supplies to the Western area; and what steps he has taken to relieve the situation.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state why the December allocation of kerosene has not been delivered to merchants and traders in County Sligo; when such supplies will be delivered; and what steps he is taking to prevent a recurrence of such delays.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the consumers of household paraffin in north Mayo did not receive their November ration for domestic lighting; that, as a result, whole areas of the countryside were in darkness for Christmas; and if he will state the cause of the failure of the delivery arrangements in this case.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the November and December rations of kerosene have not yet been delivered to some areas in North Mayo; that, as a result, the people in those backward areas are suffering great hardships for want of light during the long nights; and if he will endeavour to improve the position as far as the distribution of kerosene is concerned.
I propose to take questions Nos. 17 to 23 together.
I am aware that there is considerable delay in the delivery of kerosene throughout the country generally and I have had the matter under discussion with the oil distributing companies. The delay is due to the shortage of rail tank cars, the number available being insufficient to meet the heavy demands on transport arising from the increased supplies of petroleum products which are now available. The problem is aggravated by the difficulty experienced in obtaining smaller tankers to transport supplies by sea to ports other than Dublin.
I have taken all possible measures open to me in consultation with the oil distributing companies with a view to securing additional rail tank cars, and to arranging direct seaborne supplies to ports other than Dublin, and I am hopeful that the measures taken will result in an early improvement in the position.
I understand from the oil distributing companies that deliveries for November are now practically completed and that December supplies are in course of distribution.
The Minister must be aware that for the last two months there has been no paraffin available in West Cork. Even the paraffin candle which now costs 2½d. is not available. Could the Minister give us any indication as to where the people in the black market are getting the supply?
Am I to understand that tanks are now being diverted from the carrying of kerosene for the purpose of carrying other petroleum products? Am I to accept it that they are being used to convey petrol to motorists while the people in the rural areas of Ireland are left without means of light in their homes and are left without oil for cooking purposes? Would the Minister take into consideration the fact that from the month of October up to the month of January there was no paraffin oil distributed in Mayo? Has he any explanation to offer, apart from the fact that tanks are being converted to convey other petroleum products which are not so essential?
May I remind the Minister that this matter has been the subject of constant complaint, and may I respectfully ask of him for a positive assurance, so far as he can give it, that a regular and uninterrupted supply of paraffin will be maintained in future for rural areas?
What does the Minister mean by an early improvement or can he give any indication as to when adequate supplies of kerosene are likely to be available for rural areas? The Minister is probably aware that there were many houses in the West of Ireland in darkness during the Christmas. The same thing happened last year but apparently the railway management has not profited by previous experience.
It is not a question of the railway management. The responsibility of distributing petroleum rests with the oil companies. I am not going to defend these companies. They should have foreseen these difficulties and should have taken steps to provide against them.
Is the railway management not responsible for providing the cars?
The cars are the property of the oil companies. The companies claim that they could not have foreseen that a situation would arise in which the fuel depots at Foynes and other ports could not be utilised by reason of their inability to get tanker vessels small enough in size to enter the ports. The situation is that the only tankers available are of large size which can be accommodated only in Dublin, and it is clear, therefore, that the task of internal distribution of the available supplies is aggravated, having regard to the fact that the existing stock of tank cars and tank lorries was built up on the pre-war practice which involved the maintenance of supplies at the storage installations at a number of other ports. Be that as it may, the companies have, I know, been endeavouring to increase their stock of wagons and cars. They have been unable to get delivery so far, but they have been promised delivery at some time in the future and they have also been promised that some supplies will be made available in smaller tankers. I cannot say when these promises will be redeemed. All possible pressure is being kept on the companies to do their job of distributing these supplies properly. They have been working their existing equipment to the maximum extent. It is not correct that tank cars which were formerly available for the distribution of paraffin are now being used for the distribution of other petroleum products. As other Deputies know, this problem arose in previous winters, but it has become aggravated this winter because the total supplies available for distribution are larger, and, presumably, some part of the existing equipment is not as effective as it was previously. However, the situation is caused by a physical difficulty and can only be completely remedied when that physical difficulty has been removed by the delivery of additional tank cars and tank lorries. It is in that direction the companies are extending their efforts, but, in the meantime, I am urging and pressing them to utilise their existing delivery apparatus to the fullest extent to make good the deficiencies in particular areas.
Will the Minister say whether he has suggested to the oil companies that, for the moment, in any case, pending the overcoming of the difficulties, kerosene might be transported in barrels?
I understand that the companies are endeavouring to make arrangements to install suitable tanks on ordinary lorries to supplement their distribution equipment.
Will the Minister undertake, during this period of stringency, to have some arrangement made by which supplies of paraffin will be available to dispensary doctors? A situation has arisen in a great number of places in rural areas in which medical officers and others have no light whatever for the performance of the functions they have to perform, and I therefore suggest that a small supply of paraffin should be placed at the disposal of dispensary doctors.
I will consider that.
Is the Minister aware that deliveries of kerosene for power purposes on the farm, for tractors, are in some cases over two months in arrears?
It could be so.
And that, in view of the fine weather coming now, it is a very urgent problem?
I appreciate the importance of the delivery of supplies of tractor vaporising oils, but, arising out of some observations made by Deputies, I should point out that the quantities of such oil to be delivered throughout the country have also considerably increased and exceed considerably the quantities of ordinary burning oil.
May I take it that that particular fuel will get priority?
I would not like to promise priority in all cases because supplies of burning oil are also very important.
Some of the tankers used last year——
Has the Deputy a question to ask?
Will the Minister say whether it is or is not a fact that some of the tankers used last year for the conveyance of kerosene to rural areas were used for the purpose of conveying other petroleum products this year, which resulted in the people in the West of Ireland having to go three months without kerosene, a situation which did not arise last year or the year before?
Possibly they were, but the other petroleum products are tractor vaporising oils about which Deputy Hughes has been talking and the distribution of which is equally important.
More important.