asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (1) who is (a) immediately and (b) ultimately responsible for ensuring that an adequate supply of turf will be made available for the new power station at Screebe, County Galway, (2) when and how the persons or bodies concerned were informed that this responsibility was being placed on them, (3) whether those responsible for ensuring the supply of turf have full authority to take whatever steps they may consider necessary towards that end, and, if not, what limitations have been placed on their authority, and what is the purpose of these limitations, (4) what response has been obtained by the E.S.B. to the advertisements issued in April, 1955, inviting tenders for the supply of turf, and (5) what further action has been taken by the E.S.B. towards the securing of an adequate turf supply for the station since his reply of 26th October, 1955.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Connemara Power Station—Turf Supplies.
I would refer the Deputy to the terms of the official announcement which was issued on 7th February, 1953, in which it was stated that the Screebe station, when established, would require a minimum quantity of 30,000 tons of turf per annum and would thus provide an assured market for turf surplus to local needs which was produced in the area. There has been no change in the position since then.
The primary purpose of the four small generating stations (including Screebe) was to ensure a market for surplus hand-won turf in the station areas and it was recognised that one or more of the stations might not be in operation in a particular year or years if such a surplus were not available because of weather conditions or because of the existence of a ready alternative market for hand-won turf. Accordingly the provision of supplies for the station is primarily a matter for the producers in the area in conjunction with the E.S.B. and no limitations have been placed on either party.
In response to the advertisements issued by the board in April, 1955, a total of 1,500 tons of turf was offered but these offers were subsequently withdrawn. Since then an offer of 300 tons for delivery during March, 1956, has been received by the board.
I am informed by the board that posters inviting offers of surplus hand-won turf are at present being prepared for display before this year's cutting season begins.