asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that a number of residents in the vicinity of Gormanston Camp, County Meath, have been quoted very high bimensal charges for electricity by the ESB because of the necessity of laying underground cables to comply with his Department's safety regulations; and if he will arrange, in the circumstances, to have the cost of laying the cables defrayed by his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - ESB Charges in Meath.
55.
I am not aware what terms have been quoted for electricity by the Electricity Supply Board to the persons concerned.
The Board has applied to my Department for permission to supply these persons from a transformer, which is the property of the Board, located in Gormanston Camp. As the Camp is an aerodrome, utilisation of the transformer would necessitate laying some cables underground but it would not be appropriate that my Department should defray the cost of the work involved.
I might mention that my Department made a substantial contribution towards the capital cost of bringing the supply to the Camp.
Is the Minister aware that one of those people concerned, who lives in a labourer's cottage, has been quoted a two-monthly charge of £10 15s. Od.? The reason the ESB have given for that extraordinary charge is that the Department of Defence are insisting on the laying of certain underground cables. In view of that situation, surely the onus should be on the Department of Defence to help out in the cost and will the Minister reconsider the matter?
That is a matter for the ESB.
Surely the Minister cannot say it is a matter for the ESB, if the ESB say that this charge is necessitated because the Department of Defence insist on things being done in a certain way? Further, were the houses concerned not in existence before the camp became a camp?