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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Oct 1949

Vol. 118 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Irish Coal by State Undertakings.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will take immediate and effective action to ensure that all Government and State-sponsored undertakings requiring coal will henceforth use coal from our own mines.

The Deputy's question seems to imply that Government and State-sponsored undertakings are not using Irish coal. Such bodies are, and have been, using considerable quantities of such coal, very often under great difficulties in the matter of quality and price.

The Deputy will realise that I have no statutory power to compel any consumer of coal to purchase his requirements from a particular supplier. Subject to that, however, I have urged and will continue to urge Government and State-sponsored undertakings to use native fuel to the maximum extent possible; but the producers of native fuel must in turn do their part in seeing that the quality and condition of the fuel leave no ground for complaint.

Arising out of the Minister's reply, would he think it desirable to have a conference with those concerned in the production of coal with a view to ensuring that State-sponsored undertakings use Irish coal?

Several such conferences have been held. So far as the collieries which the Deputy has in mind are concerned, were it not for the fact that State-sponsored undertakings are utilising their supplies, the collieries would not be working at all.

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