asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that the Laois County Council has laid off a large number of men who were engaged on county council hand-won turf production on Coolagh and Derry bogs in Laois; and, if so, whether he will state the reason for this slackening in the campaign for the production of hand-won turf in Laois.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laois Turf Production.
Mr. O'Higgins
I am informed that the employment of 35 men on Coolagh bog was terminated on the 7th instant but that all the workers on Derry bog have been retained for harvesting operations. The county engineer brought the turf cutting operations to an end in both bogs, on attaining an output of 1,000 tons over the 7,000 tons target set by the council, owing to the risk that turf cut subsequently could not be properly saved and also to ensure the safe harvesting of the turf already cut.
Mr. O'Higgins
Does the Minister's reply mean that turf production on Coolagh bog has ended some four weeks before it would ordinarily end and does that indicate a slackening in the turf production drive in Laois County?
It indicates what I have told the Deputy.
Mr. O'Higgins
I am putting it into plain English.
It indicates that the engineering authorities there came to the conclusion that the turf-cutting season had come to an end and that harvesting operations had to be considered. They made this decision on their own. I am sure that they are people who are capable of arriving at a balanced conclusion on these matters.
Mr. O'Higgins
It occurred two weeks after the change of Government.