asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the desirability of increasing turf production and the Government's call therefor, he will make available immediately additional funds for the repair and improvement of bog roads and the cleaning of drains.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Turf Production.
Additional funds have already been made available for expenditure in the current financial year on works of the kind referred to by the Deputy; and the provision for 1951-52 is under consideration.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary prepared to tell the House how much money will be made available between this and 31st March in order to put these bog roads into a proper state of repair for the coming turf season?
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, last year we spent £60,000 on these roads. For the period between now and 31st March the Government have granted an additional £10,000.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary consider that a sum of £10,000, to be expended between this and 31st March, will leave these bog roads and drains in a fit condition to carry out the contemplated turf drive? Is it not essential that the roads and drains must be in a proper state of repair in order to carry out the turf drive in view of the gravity of the fuel situation, and does he not consider that £10,000 is a mere flea bite?
It is more than was ever spent before in such a short space of time.
Rubbish.
Nonsense. This is all part of the effort to put turf up the spout.