asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the weather conditions which have brought about a severe shortage of fuel and the complete loss of the turf crop in many areas, he will request Bord na Móna to have a scheme prepared to alleviate the extreme hardships caused by these conditions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fuel Shortage.
I am informed by Bord na Móna that, while they have been subject to the same weather conditions as those which affected other turf producers, they have available at their principal works throughout the country limited quantities of machine won turf for sale. I have no reason to doubt that adequate supplies of alternative fuels are at present available.
Does the Minister consider, from the information which is available to him, that adequate supplies of Bord na Móna turf are within the reach of persons living in the poorer parts of the country?
I am informed by Bord na Móna that they have supplies of turf within a reasonable transport distance of counties such as Sligo and Leitrim.
I agree with that. However, many of the people in these two counties are not in a position to pay cash for supplies of Bord na Móna turf. As we all know, the weather conditions have caused a severe shortage of fuel and, in many areas, even the complete loss of the turf crop. What is to become of people who have no resources wherewith to buy their fuel requirements?
If the Deputy is raising the question of assisting such people because of their difficulties in relation to providing fuel supplies for themselves, that does not seem to be a matter for the Department of Industry and Commerce but one, rather, either for the local authority or some other Department—certainly not the Department of Industry and Commerce.
Is the Minister aware that Bord na Móna have recently increased the price of machine-won turf by 5/- a ton? Will the Minister ensure that no further increase will take place at a time such as this when people are in such a bad way for fuel?
I was not asked that question——
It arises out of the supplementary.
It does not, in my view. However, if the Deputy will put down a question on the matter, I shall have it investigated.