asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether the Letterkenny Urban District Council have drawn his attention to the great disparity between the charges for electricity in areas classified "A" and those areas classified "F"; and, if so, whether he will investigate this matter with a view to redressing the unfair burden on "F" areas in one of which Letterkenny Urban District is situated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disparity in Electricity Charges.
Mr. Blaney
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The fixing of the scale of charges for electricity is a responsibility of the Electricity Supply Board in regard to which I have no function and I cannot intervene in the matter.
Mr. Blaney
Is the Minister aware that Letterkenny is in one of the areas classified "F", getting its electricity from Northern Ireland, and that, as a result, the charges for industrial electricity in Letterkenny are 40 per cent. more than those in any other part of the State? Would the Minister, in view of that, not consider investigating this whole matter, with a view to redressing this hardship in regard to "F" areas, of which Letterkenny is one. It is very unfair and very hard to understand. If it is a question of having to charge for electricity for industrial purposes an amount 40 per cent. in excess of that charged in any other part of the State, it should be very easily justified. I fail to see why a flat rate could not be charged, so that Letterkenny will not be victimised, as it is being victimised at present.
I can only suggest that the Deputy make these representations to the Electricity Supply Board. As I have informed him, I have no function in the matter and no power to intervene.
Mr. Blaney
Representations have been made to the Electricity Supply Board by the Letterkenny Urban Council and I have a lot of communications here in connection with the matter. I am giving the Minister the gist of the situation and he, as Minister, should bring it to the notice of the Electricity Supply Board.
The Minister says he has no responsibility in the matter.
I have said that I have no function whatever in the matter.