andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any fixed policy has been prescribed by him in relation to the use of native fuels for the heating of buildings of State-sponsored bodies which are under the aegis of his Department; whether he is aware that it is proposed to instal oil heating in the new headquarters building of Córas Tráchtála and Bord Fáilte; and whether in order to facilitate maximum employment in the production of native fuels he will take whatever steps are necessary to secure maximum use of such fuel by these bodies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Native Fuel for Heating.
29.
All State-sponsored Bodies for which my Department has responsibility have been urged to give preference to the utmost practicable extent to native fuels. I understand from the bodies concerned that because of the restricted space available there were practical difficulties in the way of arranging that the building referred to by the Deputy would be heated by solid fuel.
Is it not a fact that of these two very important bodies, one concerned with increasing exports is now acting as an agent for imports at a time when Bord na Móna have made such excellent progress in producing equipment for the utilisation of native fuel? In view of the fact that the Minister for Transport and Power took time off within the past three months to praise the Gresham Hotel, and rightly so, for their initiative in installing turf-burning generating units in that hotel, can the Minister for Industry and Commerce now explain to the House why two State companies are utilising foreign fuel in their new headquarters?
The Deputy's sweeping statement cannot brush aside what I said in my answer. There are practical difficulties.
Nonsense. With your permission, I propose to raise this matter of Government policy on the Adjournment.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.
It is a disgraceful performance. The directors of both those companies should be sacked.