asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the necessity of having an electricity supply to the Aran Islands in view of the importance of the tourist industry to these islands; and if he will have the possibility of siting an electric power plant there considered.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Supply.
10.
I have been informed by the ESB that, because of their situation, the extension of the electricity system to the Aran Islands by underwater or overhead line from the mainland would not be technically feasible. The provision of electricity by means of diesel generators on the islands to give full domestic supply would be excessively costly but it may be possible that a local scheme which would provide a limited supply at acceptable cost could be organised and I propose with the co-operation of the ESB to have this examined.
11.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that electricity supply for Inch, Sillertane, Pookeen and Milane townlands, County Cork, which was promised for early in 1967, has not been installed as yet; and when supply will be made available.
12.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power when electricity supply will be extended to the Ballydehob-Dunbeacon area of County Cork.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
I am informed by the ESB that the townlands of Inch, Sillertane, Pookeen and Milane are in the Board's Coolkellure rural area. As I had indicated to the Deputy in reply to a question on 24th May, 1967, the Board had hoped to commence the recanvass of this area in the autumn of 1967.
The Ballydehob-Dunbeacon area is in the Board's Schull rural area. The Board carried out a preliminary canvass there earlier this year.
Because of the necessity to give priority to the pilot areas of Caheragh and Drimoleague and to work in connection with tourist development in West Cork, however, it will not now be possible to recanvass these areas before 1969-70.
Did the Minister refer to the promise that was made early in 1967 regarding Inch, Sillertane, Pookeen and Milane?
I did. I said in the reply that as I had indicated to the Deputy in reply to a question on 24th May, 1967, the Board had hoped to commence the recanvass of this area in the autumn of 1967.
And it will not be possible now to recanvass these areas before 1969?
No, because of the necessity to give priority to the pilot areas of Caheragh and Drimoleague and to work in connection with tourist development in West Cork.
It is a good job Deputy Murphy is not here.
13.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will take steps immediately to ensure the extension of electricity supply to Cape Clear island, as the extension there is urgently needed.
The Electricity Supply Board have advised me that there are technical difficulties involved in the extension of the electricity supply from the mainland to Cape Clear island. They add that detailed investigations with a view to resolving these difficulties are in progress.
As the Deputy was informed on 17th November, 1966, the extension of the main electricity supply to Cape Clear island would be extremely costly. Even under the new rural electrification arrangements announced last month, householders would have to be asked to pay very high special service charges.