asked the Minister for Transport and Power on what occasions in the past three years the ESB introduced regional power cuts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electric Power Cuts.
18.
I am informed by the ESB that they introduced regional power cuts on two occasions during the past three years; on Monday, 9th May, 1966 and on Tuesday, 26th March, 1968.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that in the present power crisis the ESB have been cutting sections—this happens throughout the year—of power transmission at will? If this facility was there under the Electricity Special Provisions Bill of 1966, were such proposals used on that occasion thereby creating prejudice to the Board? Is it not true that in fact they are doing this every week of the year and that they are going around taking pressure off one particular place or cutting it in another?
This is not true. The reply to this question indicates that there was only one specific power cut on Tuesday, 26th March, 1968, and there is no question of continuous power cutting. I am afraid the Deputy is endeavouring to compare the present situation with the situation which existed in 1966. This must of necessity be completely off beam because the circumstances are completely different.
Question No. 19 postponed.