asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the fuel supplies in the County Monaghan are inadequate; and whether he will consider granting licences for the purchase of coal for domestic use, in areas in that county where alternative fuels are not available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fuel Supplies in County Monaghan.
I am aware that supplies of turf available for County Monaghan against winter requirements are below the normal level and measures to improve the position are under consideration. It is not possible to grant permits for the purchase of coal for domestic use in any part of the scheduled turf area.
Is the Minister aware that, with the exception of the resources at Braggan, which is in the extreme north of the county, no turf is available in the vicinity of Ballybay, Castleblayney or Carrickmacross, that the poor people of Castleblayney who buy turf in small quantities are unable to get any turf at all since the co-operative society ceased to sell it retail and that the people of Ballybay and Carrickmacross are in serious danger of finding themselves without fuel of any kind? In view of that fact, will he indicate now what sort of fuel he proposes to provide for those areas and whether or not it will be available for sale in small quantities which a poor person can afford to buy—1 cwt. and 2 cwt. lots?
Fuel merchants in County Monaghan normally draw their supplies of turf from Donegal. There are adequate supplies of turf in Donegal, but there have been some difficulties concerning transportation, which are being remedied.
Is the Minister aware that, in Castleblayney particularly, nobody is selling fuel retail in small quantities? If you are prepared to take a load from the station, you can get it but, if you can afford only to buy a bag, you cannot get it, since nobody is selling retail since the "Co-op." ceased to do so. Is the Minister aware that the parish priest of Ballybay expresses apprehension that the poor of his parish will be left without fuel of any kind and will the Minister take this southern area of County Monaghan under special review with a view to determining whether Bord na Móna or any other body has a comprehensive plan? My information is that they have not.
The distribution and sale of fuel in County Monaghan is a matter for private enterprise. I am quite satisfied that there are a number of merchants in County Monaghan who will undertake the sale of turf if an opening for their activity exists. So far as my Department is concerned, we shall facilitate those merchants to the fullest extent possible and put them in touch with sources of supply.
The Minister himself knows——
Question No. 3.
The Minister himself knows as a result of investigation——
Question No. 3.