asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that shortage of turf supplies in the town of Carrick-on-Suir is causing considerable hardship; and if he will state the cause of the shortage, and what steps are being taken to secure that a supply will be made available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Turf Supplies.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that shortage of turf supplies in the town of Clonmel is causing considerable hardship; and if he will state the cause of the shortage, and what steps are being taken to secure that a supply will be made available.
I propose to take questions Nos. 5 and 6 together. I am aware that, owing to weather conditions since last August, there are turf shortages in Carrick-on-Suir and Clonmel in common with many other places. My Department is in constant touch with merchants and local authorities all over the country and the measures taken to meet difficulties in any particular place vary so much from day to day that a statement of the steps being taken at any particular time would be of little value. The Deputy may be assured, however, that everything that can be done to remedy local shortages is being done.
Will the Minister say if Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel and the town of Tipperary are dependent on any particular turf area for their turf supplies?
So far as the turf area is concerned, in normal circumstances, the responsibility for providing fuel supplies rests upon the local merchants and on local resources. In present circumstances, in view of shortages, special and exceptional measures are being taken to endeavour to distribute the available supplies so as to prevent absolute shortage in any particular place, if at all possible.
Are we to expect that there will be a continuing and serious shortage for some months to come in such towns as these?
I think that is likely.
Is the Minister aware that the same trouble exists in Dublin to-day and that——
This is a question about Clonmel.
Yes, but in relation to the fuel supply of the whole country——
The Deputy will have to put down his own question for his own area.
The Minister must be aware that Dublin is in a bad way for fuel.