asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that during the past six weeks, when the fuel situation in Dublin deteriorated to a dangerous extent, a number of turf distributors resorted to the practice of taking lorry loads of turf, after dark, into the poorer districts which were suffering from a fuel famine, and of selling the turf, in small quantities, at exorbitant prices; whether he has taken any steps to check this practice; and whether he will now consider the desirability of opening fuel depôts in the poorer districts of the city to supply fuel to the poor at the fixed price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fuel Prices in Dublin.
I have no knowledge of the practice referred to by the Deputy, but, if he will give me any information he may have concerning it, I will have appropriate measures taken. As regards the question of opening fuel depôts, the number of persons licensed to sell turf in the poorer districts of the city is considerable; I have no reason to believe that as a body they are not selling turf at the fixed price, and the establishment of the special depôts suggested by the Deputy should not be necessary.
I intend to have consideration given to the revision of the present methods of turf distribution and sale, but I think that to attempt to introduce changes now would not help in current difficulties.