asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is a fact that coal is being used at the turf generating station of Portarlington; and, if so, whether it is the policy of the Government to burn coal at turf generating stations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Coal at Portarlington.
Coal has not so far been used for the generation of electricity at the Portarlington station. It is certainly not the policy of the Government that coal should be used in generating stations designed to burn turf. A proposal, however, for the use of coal because of the shortage of turf supplies was made by the Electricity Supply Board on the 18th May, 1951, and was brought to my notice when I returned to office on the 14th June, 1951. Having considered the matter, I have informed the Electricity Supply Board that, having regard to their present difficulties due to insufficient generating capacity and the need to operate the Portarlington station to maximum capacity, I am prepared to assent to the use of coal temporarily to augment the available turf supplies. This authority has been given on the strict understanding that it will apply only for the present year and that any stock of coal accumulated at Portarlington will be limited to the quantity required to meet the shortage in the turf supplied for this year only. Arrangements are being made to supplement the stock-pile of turf at the station.
Is the Minister aware that while coal is being used at the power station in Portarlington quite a number of private turf producers cannot get a market? Does he not consider that it is silly and ridiculous that coal should be burnt in a power station in the heart of a huge bog?
The position is that the reserve stock of turf at Portarlington was used up during the period of the trade dispute, which lasted for about six weeks, early in the year. It is more important to replenish that stock than to burn turf at the moment.
Is the Minister aware that the Electricity Supply Board had contemplated burning coal in their generating stations without consultation with Bord na Móna and without their knowledge notwithstanding the fact that there are adequate supplies of native fuel in the Bord na Móna bogs? Will he ensure that turf only will be burned in those stations from now on?
I have made arrangements with Bord na Móna to gather the maximum quantity of turf that can be devoted to this purpose without leaving other industrial users short; to build up a reserve stock at Clonsast and to commence a reserve for Allenwood.
No. 8.
Can I take it that turf will be purchased from private producers in the event of this happening again?
I have called No. 8.