asked the Minister for Transport and Power if it is possible to expedite the provision of service to the many individual applicants who have been waiting on electricity supply for extended periods in South West Cork.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Electricity Supply.
5.
As I indicated during the debate on the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill, 1968 the ESB in carrying out the post-development scheme, are recanvassing the country in a planned sequence of areas so as to ensure orderly development and to keep costs to a minimum. Any departure from the planned arrangements upsets the Board's programme and increases the costs involved. Preference for any area can be arranged only by delaying supply to other areas.
I am informed by the ESB that work under the post-development scheme is proceeding in South West Cork and that construction crews are at present operating in two areas, Drimoleague and Caheragh. In addition, a proportion of the resources available is being applied in supplying a small number of individuals who establish reasonable priority either in relation to tourism or otherwise.
That is not an answer to what I have in mind. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in West Cork we have applications from individuals here, there and everywhere who are anxious to have an electricity supply provided, applications from households which could not be connected in time past due to isolation? Houses have been erected in recent times, and my question does not relate to any particular area but to applications from people who are writing to the Board and writing to public representatives to try to get a connection — from John Murphy or John O'Sullivan, this type of individual application. What kind of system has the ESB devised for meeting their requirements? Is there some impartial system devised or is it a question of the local officer saying: "We will connect this man here and let the other man wait till next year"? That is what I have in mind.
It would be very wrong to allow the allegation that the extension of electricity is not being done by ESB in an impartial way. It is being done impartially, and if the Deputy is speaking specifically about individual applications, I can say that special consideration is given to new houses where the occupier had electricity in the old house. Special consideration and priority are also given to any type of small industry where employment is being given. However, this is a five-year programme and in any such programme all applications must be taken in rotation. Any cutting across the rotation only slows up the process.
Assuming the Parliamentary Secretary is advised correctly, I cannot understand, and more than I cannot understand, how it is that when some influential person buys a house in a particular area without electrical facilities, he is connected up without delay, whereas the small fellow who has been living there for years and is applying for months has his application deferred. I have seen people who have come into this country to West Cork and who have had no delay in having their houses connected, whereas the Irish person, the small fellow, is left over.
That is the first time I have got that complaint. The Deputy should not raise it without taking it up directly. I take it the Deputy has never made any direct representations.
I am tired of making direct representations.
I have no record of it.