asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the islands off the west coast of Cork are scheduled as a turf area; that, as there is no turf on these islands, the inhabitants experience great difficulties in procuring fuel; and if he will arrange to have the islands scheduled as a non-turf area, so that the inhabitants may qualify for a coal ration.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Islanders' Fuel Difficulties.
I am aware that the islands off the west coast of Cork are in the scheduled turf area and that there are no bogs on these islands. The inhabitants should experience no greater difficulty in procuring turf than people living in many places in the turf areas which are at a distance from production sources. It is not proposed to exclude the islands from the turf area and, so far as a coal ration is concerned, I would refer the Deputy to my answer to a similar question on the 15th October.
Did you ever try getting turf out to an island?
Some of the residents may not be in a position to procure turf, through old age. Can there be an exception for them?
I am sure there are fuel merchants in the area who would be glad to supply turf in such cases.
Surely the Minister is aware that one of these islands, Cape Clear, is nine miles off the mainland.
Surely there is a case for islands remote from the mainland where the fuel has to be carried over something that is an equivalent to open sea, to provide that in such cases special consideration might be given with a view to enabling persons living on the islands where there is no turf to bring coal over. It is very difficult to bring large barges of turf over wide expanses of water.
It is no more difficult this year than last year or the year before.
That is perfectly true, but does the Minister not think it exceptionally difficult, and if there is any coal—and there is certainly more now than there was last year or the year before—might not consideration be given to island cases where transport is such a grave danger to those engaged in it?