asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is correct that the installation of the quick-freezing plant at Killybegs, County Donegal, has been held up for the past nine months as the result of D.C. generators having been ordered and delivered for the plant, whereas it was obvious that A.C. generators were economically essential; and, if so, if he will state who was responsible for this major error.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quick-Freezing Plant Installation.
It is presumed that the Deputy refers to the electric motors ordered in connection with the quick-freezing plant being erected at Killybegs. Motors suitable for direct current were first ordered, as the local generating station provided such current. When it became known that the Electricity Supply Board was prepared to supply current to Killybegs, it was decided to link the quick-freezing plant with that source of supply, and motors suitable for alternating current accordingly became necessary. No error was made in the matter.
Is it not a fact that the D.C. generators supplied have never been taken out of the boxes and was it not apparent to any practical engineer that the Electricity Supply Board were coming into the Killybegs district and that if they did use D.C. generators they would have to switch over to A.C.? Surely there must have been a blunder somewhere.
There was no blunder. The D.C. motors were ordered before the Electricity Supply Board made a decision in the matter and, in fact, they were delivered in or about the time the decision was made. Then the association quite sensibly decided to switch over to the Electricity Supply Board supply, and that necessitated a change of motors. This change is being effected by the Electricity Supply Board without any cost to the association.
But the D.C. motors are still lying there in their cases.
They will not be long there.
They will be rusted if they are left there much longer.