asked the Minister for Transport and Power the position as at 31st March, 1967, regarding guarantees by the Minister for Finance of borrowing by Bord na Móna under the Turf Development Act, 1957.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord na Móna.
9.
Of the borrowing by Bord na Móna guaranteed by the Minister for Finance under the Turf Development Act, 1957, the amount outstanding at 31st March, 1967, was £2,415,975.
10.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will state, in respect of each financial year 1946-47 to 1966-67 in which a deficit on turf production was recorded by Bord na Móna, the total deficit by Bord na Móna, the deficit on turf production, the deficit attributable to interest, the value of peat purchased by ESB, and ESb purchases as percentage of total sales value.
11.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will state, in respect of each financial year with regard to Bord na Móna turf production from 1946-47 to 1966-67 the total surplus or deficit in each year, the working surplus or deficit on turf production in each year, and the deficit attributable to interest paid.
I propose, with your permission, a Ceann Comhairle, to take Question Nos. 10 and 11 together.
The value of peat purchased by the ESB and ESB purchases as a percentage of total sales value were given in reply to the Deputy's question of 4th July, 1967.
The remainder of the information requested by the Deputy is contained in a statement which I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
|
Year ended |
Total Surplus |
Total Deficit |
Operating Surplus |
Operating Deficit |
Deficit attributable to Interest on loans and capital advances |
|
(on turf production) |
|||||
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
31/3/47 |
27,677 |
38,900 |
|||
|
31/3/48 |
2,005 |
12,294 |
|||
|
31/3/49 |
2,523 |
11,664 |
|||
|
31/3/50 |
3,480 |
6,476 |
3,480 |
||
|
31/3/51 |
62,466 |
51,411 |
11,055 |
||
|
31/3/52 |
5,871 |
43,966 |
|||
|
31/3/53 |
1,275 |
114,268 |
|||
|
31/3/54 |
1,972 |
171,576 |
|||
|
31/3/55 |
1,750 |
173,758 |
|||
|
31/3/56 |
59,385 |
260,893 |
|||
|
31/3/57 |
5,502 |
336,202 |
|||
|
31/3/58 |
8,330 |
490,336 |
|||
|
31/3/59 |
904,320 |
582,315 |
322,005 |
||
|
31/3/60 |
340,096 |
722,195 |
|||
|
31/3/61 |
35,500 |
560,424 |
35,500 |
||
|
31/3/62 |
94,538 |
616,574 |
94,538 |
||
|
31/3/63 |
351,764 |
1,072,151 |
|||
|
31/3/64 |
7,765 |
888,553 |
|||
|
31/3/65 |
516,048 |
495,242 |
516,048 |
||
|
31/3/66 |
1,606,753 |
522,760 |
1,083,993 |
||
|
31/3/67 |
1,694,103 |
471,763 |
*1,222,340 |
* This amount of £1,222,340 represents the full interest charge against Revenue Account for he year but of this amount £565,649 has not been paid.
Is it not the bald fact that, if Bord na Móna had not been forced by the Government this year to repay the entire amount of interest due this year, they would be able to show a profit and properly pay their workers? If they did not have to pay they would have £300,000 now.
That is not an arrangement that has been there.
Is it not true that Bord na Móna more than any other State board are being asked to pay every penny due as far as they can, and is that not the reason why the Board say they are unable adequately to pay the people working for them?
They have not said that.
They said they have not got the money. It is the same thing; it is the truth. You did not say that much in the past few days.
There will not be any change in the pattern of interest and capital repayments. That has been decided by this House.
They must pay their pound of flesh.
That is good business.
It is good business for the Minister. He will not be short of a week's wages.
Deputy Tully should allow the next question to be answered: Question No. 12.
The Deputy is annoyed by the pickets around, as well as Bord na Móna.
And we are annoyed that a Fianna Fáil member was outside picketing. It was the Árd-Fheis they should be picketing.
Question No. 12.