asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that thousands of tons of privately produced hand-won turf in the Cahirciveen-Killorglin area are still unsold and that the difficulty in finding a market and obtaining an economic price for such turf saved last year is not conducive to production this year; and, if so, if he will have steps taken for the purchase of these existing stocks by Bord na Móna before the coming turf-cutting season commences.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Market for Turf.
Inquiries which I have made in the matter indicate that, contrary to what the Deputy suggests, the unsold quantity of hand-won turf produced in the Cahirciveen-Killorglin area is relatively small, and that if the turf had been available in marketable condition during the period of peak demand in the past winter it could all have been sold.
As I stated in reply to a question on the 19th March, Bord na Móna does not engage in the purchase and sale of hand-won turf and I do not propose to ask them to do so. The board's turf marketing section will, however, continue to assist producers in the area in marketing any supplies which they may have on hand.
In view of the fact that there is excessive caution this year on the part of turf producers, who fear that when they have cut the turf they may find difficulty in disposing of it, would the Minister be prepared to give an assurance, while not asking Bord na Móna to engage in the sale of hand-won turf, that the board would take over at a reasonable price any turf unsold at the end of the season, because, as the Minister knows, the machine-won turf produced by Bord na Móna lends itself better to stockpiling than hand-won turf, and the board surely can use the hand-won turf to supply many of the large orders which it must fulfil in the course of its activities as a trading agency?
I think the Deputy should give notice of that question, which is entirely different from the one on the Order Paper.
Is the Minister aware that the people in the Cahirciveen-Killorglin area believe that the inspector who was sent down did not carry out a full investigation of all the districts and would he consider ensuring that all areas about which representations have been made will be surveyed and that the officials will visit the areas again to see that there is no surplus turf being left over?
The most recent report concerning the Cahirciveen-Killorglin area was received on 21st March, 1952. By that date 13,500 tons out of the 15,500 tons had been sold and sale is still proceeding.