asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what steps he is taking to ensure that there will be a plentiful supply of fuel available next winter at a moderate cost to the consumer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fuel Supplies.
I presume the Deputy's question refers to household coal. The Deputy will appreciate that the importation of coal is a matter for private enterprise and that it is the primary duty of the coal importing trade to see that the market is provided for. I may say, however, that, following representations which I made last summer to the National Coal Board in Great Britain and which resulted in an increased allocation last year, the Coal Importers' Association have been advised of a further increase in the allocation for the current year. I am satisfied that the revised allocation should be adequate to meet all foreseeable demands. I have impressed on the importers, however, the imperative necessity for ensuring that sufficient of the allocation is imported during the summer months to guard against any possible shortage in the early part of the winter which might arise if shipments were delayed and there was a sudden onset of harsh weather conditions. I have received satisfactory assurances on this point from the importers and I have arranged that my Department will obtain monthly progress reports from them.
So far as anthracite is concerned, the supply over the past year has been only just sufficient to meet the overall demand. There is little likelihood of securing increased supplies from abroad and I have met the Irish producers and have enjoined upon them the importance of expanding their production.
The prices to be charged for domestic coal are kept under review by the Prices Advisory Body in the light of importers' costs and costs of distribution, and that practice will be continued in respect of the coming season.