asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if rural electrification will be extended to the townlands of Glenaha, Derrisleigh and Meenformla, Carrigart, County Donegal, and, if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity for Donegal Areas.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that these townlands are included in the Carrigart area, County Donegal, which has been developed under the rural electrification scheme but that the extension of supply to residents of these townlands involves consideration of special service charges. Under statute the fixing of charges for electricity is a matter solely for the E.S.B. and in respect of which I have no function.
Will the Minister bring to the notice of the E.S.B. that the areas mentioned in the question form a pocket within an area already wired up and, to all intents and purposes, there appears to be no reason whatever why a line should not be passed through that district without extra cost? Will the Minister also bring to the notice of the board the position that we find generally in that district and other districts in the county that have recently been wired by the board, that they are making extra charges where it does not seem reasonable that they should do so and that they are not consistent in the manner in which they are laying out the line?
I am informed by the board that these particular houses are a considerable distance from the last point of supply in the area which has already been covered and, for that reason, the board find it necessary to make this extra charge. As I have explained in my reply to the Deputy, this is a board function and I have no power to require the board to install electric light here at the normal charge. If the Deputy wishes, he can make the case to the board which he has made here and see if that information will convince the board that they should not impose an extra charge in this particular case.
Might I ask the Minister for information on this particular matter, which is giving rise to much trouble in the area? Is there any means by which the board can be required to justify their not supplying any particular house or houses where, in the same area, they have gone further out of their way to supply another house or other houses?
That is a general question.
I am sure if the Deputy asks the board why they have acted in the manner in which they have done they will be only too pleased to explain the situation.
I have, but the explanation does not make sense in certain cases.