asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the shortage of machine-won turf in the Midlands and in the West for home consumption; and if he will state (a) what new machinery for the production of machine-won turf has been purchased since the 15th December, 1954, and (b) whether any of the machinery sold to firms in 1953 has been repurchased and, if so, the names of such firms.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Machine-won Turf.
It is a matter of common knowledge that production of machine-won turf in 1958 was hampered by the abnormally bad weather, but I have not received any representations regarding the shortage referred to by the Deputy. As stated in reply to a question on 29th October, supplies of machine-won turf are at present freely available for general sale from Bord na Móna's works in the Lanesboro' area, County Longford, and from Glenties, County Donegal.
The latter part of the Deputy's question relates to the board's day-to-day administration and is, therefore, a matter in which I have no function.
Is the Minister aware that 31 new turf-cutting machines which never left the packing cases and which cost the taxpayers £55,361, have been sold for £900, a loss of £54,461? Would the Minister explain why the machines were not even put into production?
Personally I do not know to what the Deputy is referring. I have not heard of the operation he referred to and in any event the difficulty about machine-won turf this year was not due to any lack of machines. It was due to the weather.
I would point out to the Minister that 31 new machines were sold for scrap.
By whom?
By Bord na Móna.
When?
During the Minister's period of office.
Not during my time.
In 1953. You had to give your imprimatur to it, too.