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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Dec 1950

Vol. 123 No. 14

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Contracts for Coal.

asked the Minister for Defence if he will state whether contracts for the delivery of coal in substantial quantities to military barracks were placed with Irish firms recently; and, if so, if he will state (a) the names of the firms who contracted; (b) the location of the barracks to which the coal was or is to be delivered, and (c) the quantity of coal delivered or to be delivered in each case, and (d) the price per ton.

Contracts were placed with nine Dublin firms, namely:—

Messrs. P. Donnelly & Sons, Ltd.

Messrs. M. Doherty & Co., Ltd.

Messrs. McKenzie & Co., Ltd.

Messrs. T.J. Nicholl & Son, Ltd.

Messrs. Sheridan Bros., Ltd.

Messrs. Flower & McDonald, Ltd.

Messrs. P. Murphy & Co., Ltd.

Messrs. Tedcastle, McCormick & Co., Ltd.

Dublin General Steam Shipping Co., Ltd.

with four Cork firms:—

Messrs. Sheehan & Sullivan, Ltd.

The Clyde Shipping Co., Ltd.

Messrs. Suttons, Ltd.

Messrs. Tedcastle, McCormick & Co., Ltd.

and with one Limerick firm:—

Central Coal Stores, Corn Market Row, Limerick.

for the supply and delivery of a quantity of coal to Dublin barracks, the Curragh Training Camp, Cork, Haulbowline, Ballincollig and Limerick.

The total quantity ordered is 47,700 tons of which 23,000 tons have been delivered to date.

It would be contrary to the practice of the Department to disclose the further details requested by the Deputy.

Will the Minister state whether or not the total amount of coal ordered is far in excess of the requirements of the Army in a single year; and, if so, if, in view of the acute hardships suffered by people, particularly in cities, through being unable to secure supplies of coal this winter, he would consider making supplies of coal available to the consuming public in the event of their not being able to get fuel?

Might I ask the Minister if, out of all the companies and contractors he has mentioned, any single company is prepared to supply Irish coal?

That is a separate question.

We heard that Government Departments were going to use home fuel.

The amount ordered is in excess of the requirements of the Army for a year and if the Government at any time decide to redistribute any of the coal which is being held by the Army—they have space to hold coal—of course it will be redistributed.

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