asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total cost of erecting and maintaining the five industrial alcohol factories, and the average additional cost per gallon of petrol payable by motorists as a result of the compulsory use of the product of these factories.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Alcohol Factories.
I am informed by Ceimicí Teo. that the total cost of erecting and equipping the five industrial alcohol factories amounted to £301,574 up to April, 1954, when it was decided to cease production of alcohol at three of the factories; and that the total cost of maintenance of the factories for the production of industrial alcohol has been £81,475 to date.
On the basis of the latest available estimates of petrol consumption, it is estimated that the increased cost involved in the compulsory sale of industrial alcohol to petrol distributors is approximately one-third of a penny per gallon of petrol
Could the Tánaiste give any estimate as to what is the additional mileage per gallon and the reduced costs by adding 5 per cent. or 10 per cent. alcohol to petrol? Could he relate those costs to the extra cost which the people are prepared to pay for No. 1 petrol over No. 3 and are the additives which make No. 3 petrol into No. 1 dearer or cheaper than the alcohol that would do the same job?
Surely that is not the question I have been asked.
It is closely related to it.
How?
In the exercise——
I am addressing myself to the Chair and not to the Tánaiste who happens to be on his feet. He ought to sit down according to the rules of order. I am waiting for the Tánaiste to sit down.
This is a dreadful infliction on the House.
If it is too strenuous for him to move his enormous bulk, then I am quite prepared to allow him to stand. I am putting this to the House.
Is this a point of order?
This is downright hooliganism.
It is a point of order.
Deputy MacEntee, on a point of order.
Am I entitled to put a supplementary question? The Tánaiste appears to deny that.
Everybody knows that.
No, Sir. The Tánaiste does not appear to know it and would the Chair please impress it on him?
There is a moon not far away.
Is it not a fact that petrol has recently been raised with the permission of the Tánaiste by a ½d a gallon?
Not at all. That is nonsense.
Question No. 6.