asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the number of firms and persons who had contracts with Bord na Móna for the conveyance of turf by road in the years 1946, 1947 and 1948, respectively.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Turf Conveyance Contracts.
Bord na Móna sells turf only ex bog, and, consequently, does not normally enter into contracts for the conveyance of turf by road.
It was necessary in special circumstances to place one contract with a firm for the transport of briquettes by road in each of the years 1946-47 and 1947-48. One contract with a firm for the transport of briquettes and two contracts with individual persons for the transport of turf were placed in the year 1948-49.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, can the Minister state whether any of the persons who had contracts with Bord na Móna were in any way implicated in the offences referred to by the Minister for Justice in his reply to Question No. 13 this day last week?
I do not know, but I hope not.
If a question is put down to the Minister, will he be able to inform himself and the House as to whether they were or were not?
I shall be able to inform myself. Whether I will be able to inform the Deputy is, of course. another matter.