asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the Electricity Supply Board have considered the rural electrification of the Valleymount area in the Counties of Kildare and Wicklow and whether, in the computation of the cost of the high tension lines, allowance will be made for the difficulties of the area caused by the artificial lake constructed by the Electricity Supply Board.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that the Valleymount area has been considered for selection on a number of occasions but has so far failed to qualify, as the ratio of fixed charge revenue to capital cost is low. The area will be considered again for selection towards the end of this year, but the prospects of early development are not good unless a higher proportion of householders agree to accept supply. The existence of the artificial lake does not materially affect the economics of providing supply for the area.
Would the Minister read the last sentence again?
"The existence of the artificial lake does not materially affect the economics of providing supply for the area."
Is the Minister aware that I have a letter from the Electricity Supply Board stating that the objection to giving a supply in this case is wholly one of the cost of high tension lines; and that the cost of the high tension lines arises out of the fact that part of the area has been denuded of population by the artificial lake? Does the Minister not agree that if the area that is now covered by the lake was populated in the same way as it was before it was flooded, there would clearly be a denser distribution of population and, therefore, a smaller pro rata cost on the high tension lines?
I have no information except that which was given to me by the Electricity Supply Board. I understand from that board that the difficulty in getting this area on the priority list is that a sufficiently high percentage of the householders in the area have not agreed to accept supply.
Would the Minister take the matter up again with the Electricity Supply Board and if he finds, as I believe it to be the fact, that it is the existence of the lake which is one of the causes of objection, will he take special steps to deal with such an artificial objection?
I will consider that but, on the whole, I think it is undesirable that there should be any impression created that decisions of the board in a matter of this kind are influenced in any way by political pressure. I think it should be clearly recognised that such decisions are made solely on the basis of the reports available.
I am not trying to argue a particular case but on the general principle that where an area has been denuded of population that area should be considered quite apart from the ordinary 17½ times ratio.
They do not take the lake in surely in estimating an area?
I am informed that they do and the Taoiseach will agree with me that, if they do, it is wrong.
I do not believe that is a fact.