asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the position regarding the development of bogs at Portmagee by Bord na Móna and whether it is the intention of Bord na Móna to develop turbary areas in that district during the 1950 season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bogs at Portmagee.
As I informed Deputy Mrs. Crowley on the 28th February last it has been decided not to continue production on the Cahirciveen bogs which bogs include those at Portmagee.
Is the Minister aware that Bord na Móna showed very little initiative in their business system down there? Is it because of that fact that this scheme is going to be closed down? Will the Minister make inquiries as to why Bord na Móna allowed that turf to remain on their hands for a considerable period when local turf producers who produce hand-won turf were able to find a market for it in Kerry and outside while this board, with the organisation of a State Department behind it, fell down on the job?
I do not at all agree that the board fell down on the job. The facts are that in the years 1948 and 1949 Bord na Móna produced on these two bogs approximately 4,400 tons of turf. In the two years they succeeded in disposing of only 1,200 tons and there are roughly 3,200 tons of turf there which up to the moment remains unsold. The board are now endeavouring to dispose of that 3,200 tons at a very low price which will increase very substantially the loss on the production of those two bogs.