asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the serious unemployment that now obtains in Counties Roscommon and Leitrim he will ensure that work on the proposed power stations in Arigna and Lanesboro' is commenced without delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erection of Power Station.
The E.S.B. have been requested to proceed with the planning and preparation of these stations as a matter of urgency, and the Deputy may be assured that work on their construction will be commenced at the earliest possible moment.
asked the Ministerfor Industry and Commerce if he will state how long the E.S.B. have under consideration the question of erecting a power station in Arigna.
The practicability of establishing a power station at Arigna has been under consideration at various times for some years past.
In 1950, following a request from my predecessor, the E.S.B. addressed an inquiry to colliery owners in the area regarding the quantities and qualities of coal which might be available for use in a generating station.
Following on the decision to erect a turf-burning station at Lanesboro', County Longford, consideration was given to the desirability of including in the Lanesboro' station a boiler and set to use Arigna coal, and the board reported to me in the matter on November 18th, 1952.
On consideration of this report I decided that it would be more satisfactory to build a station at Arigna, and I directed the E.S.B. on January 16th, 1953, to take the necessary steps to this end.
Could the Minister say whether coal to be used for this generating station will be produced or mined by Bord na Móna or left to private enterprise existing in the locality?
The coal will be purchased from private producers by the E.S.B.
In other words, Bord na Móna will have no function at all in that locality with regard to the supply of coal for the E.S.B.?
Bord na Móna will have no function in the matter.