asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the almost complete absence of fuel, particularly in some of the mountainous districts, in Leitrim and other counties due to the bad season for turf saving, and to the fact that no timber is available in those bleak areas, he will consider making provision for the delivery of coal at a cheap rate so as to alleviate the extreme hardship which will otherwise be experienced by many families during the coming months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fuel for Rural Areas.
Mr. Maguire
In view of the proximity of these areas to the Arigna coalfields where the price of coal at the pithead is lower than the landed price of coal at any port, I do not think action is called for on the lines suggested in the question.
Mr. Maguire
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say what are the areas that are in close proximity to the coalfields? No such areas are referred to in the question.
Leitrim.
Mr. Maguire
I do not think so.
The question relates to Leitrim.
Mr. Maguire
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the areas that are most seriously affected are 60 miles or more from the coalfields? I have no complaint to make at present of the conditions in proximity to the coalfields because, in spite of the lack of interest displayed by the Parliamentary Secretary's Department for the last three years, the coalfields have now a ready demand for their output because of the emergency conditions which have arisen. I wonder would the Parliamentary Secretary make an investigation and ask the Minister for Lands to make available from State forests a quantity of timber to alleviate the distress that has arisen in various parts of the country owing to the absence of fuel?
I do not accept the suggestion in the Deputy's supplementary that I displayed a lack of interest in the problem of the Arigna coalfields. In fact, as a result of representations made by the Department of Industry and Commerce, some of the statutory companies placed orders with the Arigna coalfields for fuel and are continuing to do so.
Mr. Maguire
That is not my information. It is not a fact.
It is a fact.
Mr. Maguire
Would the Parliamentary Secretary please make the representations which I have suggested to the Minister for Lands?
I shall draw the attention of the Minister for Lands to the suggestions made in the Deputy's supplementary questions.