asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, in view of the fact that Clear Island, County Cork, which is the location of an Irish college, has an increasing tourist trade and that the local inhabitants have made considerable efforts towards the development of the island, he will now make arrangements to have an electricity supply provided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Supply for Clear Island.
25.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that, because of its situation, the extension of electricity to Clear Island would be prohibitively costly. Even after allowing for the maximum State subsidy under the Electricity Supply Acts householders would still have to pay such heavy special service charges as to make electricity an entirely unattractive alternative to other sources of light, heat and power.
In view of the circumstances obtaining in Clear Island as set down in my question and the desire of the people there to develop the island and in view of the fact that it is an Irish-speaking area, will the Minister not agree to make an exception in this case? Will he not further agree that it was provided in the Act under which the Board was established that all householders were entitled to the service provided by the ESB? Will he not agree that it is completely unfair that because residents are isolated or it may be most costly to provide it, they should be ruled out as is happening in some districts? Will the Minister not agree to make a special provision so far as Clear Island is concerned?
The Deputy knows the Government have established a certain policy of providing facilities for the islands according to their size and population. A number of things have taken place to help islanders in regard to the establishment of housing, schooling, and so on. In the case of this particular island, it was decided that the best thing to do was to provide grants for bottled gas instead of electricity.
Bottled gas is no use in 1966. Would the Minister not agree that all householders in the country, irrespective of whether they are living on islands or not, are entitled to the services provided by the ESB?
The Deputy is making a speech.
That was set down in the Act under which the ESB were established in 1924.
Equal rights for all citizens.
Question No. 26.
The Ceann Comhairle is not giving the Minister a chance to reply.
I have already replied. I have made it clear to the Deputy that the Government have made arrangements for certain facilities for people on the different islands. I cannot give the entire list but the Deputy should know them well. If the Deputy asks the Minister responsible for the various schemes for the islands, he will know that there has been that application of a certain policy and the policy in the case of this island was to give the islanders bottled gas because electricity would be prohibitive.
Would the Minister not agree to give ESB service to Clear Island and Clear Island only?
A Deputy
He has no money.
He will have it in South Kerry next week.