asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that private turf cutters in the Killarney area, who were unable to get sale or transport for turf cut and dried on the roadside last April, offered this turf to Fuel Importers, Limited, in June at £1 5s. Od. a ton loaded on lorries; that this offer was refused as quotations would not be accepted other than f.o.r. at the nearest railway station; if he is further aware that lorry owners in this area, who had saved turf, were not allowed petrol to draw turf to railway stations, the petrol issued to them being ear-marked for the purpose of drawing county council turf from distant parts of the county; and if he will take timely steps to avoid losses in turf depreciation by ensuring that petrol will be made available this year for the transport of turf cut by private citizens.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport of Turf.
Privately produced turf —whether in Kerry or elsewhere—is normally purchased by Fuel Importers, Limited, on a f.o.r. basis. It is not practicable to buy on a loaded-at-bog basis. During the summer and autumn petrol is made readily available to lorry owners for all haulage to railhead, except where the lorry concerned has been hired on a whole-time basis for the haulage of national turf. From November to June, petrol allowances are not granted for the movement of turf to private individuals. A remunerative market is assured for all privately produced turf of good quality, but the question of making transport available at any particular time must be considered in relation to the volume of turf offering for movement and the necessity for providing for the requirements of domestic consumers in the non-turf areas.