asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what steps the Government have taken to ensure that adequate supplies of turf will be made available next year in view of the acute shortage of turf and of the anticipated shortage and high cost of other fuels.
- Turf Supplies.
Arrangements have been made under which it is anticipated that the production of machine turf and turf briquettes by Bord na Móna in the 1951 turf production season will show a considerable increase on the quantities produced in the 1950 season. The actual quantity available will depend upon the unpredictable factor of the weather and I cannot say at this stage whether the supply will be adequate for the demand.
Other proposals for increasing still further the supplies of turf in 1951 are under consideration.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary take steps to ensure that the quality of the turf supplied in the City of Dublin, particularly, will be somewhat better than that which was offered for sale a couple of years ago?
The quality depends a good deal on the weather.
The Parliamentary Secretary should make sure that the quantity is right first.