asked the Minister for Transport and Power if sanction has been given during 1967 or 1968 to the installation in his Department or by any semi-State body for which he is responsible of heating or boiler equipment not using native fuel which would be a departure from the policy of using native fuels as outlined in Paragraph 9 of the White Paper of January, 1946, regarding the turf development programme.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Native Fuel.
16.
There is nothing in paragraph 9 of the White Paper referred to in relation to the use of turf by semi-State bodies for heating or boiler equipment, other than for generation of electricity by the ESB.
It is existing policy that each Minister should endeavour to ensure that to the utmost practicable extent native fuels, which include turf, Irish coal and electricity, should be used in all organisations which he is in a position to influence in this regard. The use of native fuels may not always be practicable, however, for technical or economic reasons.
Can we take it that it is only for technical and economic reasons that native fuel will not be used? When the Parliamentary Secretary speaks about economic reasons, does he mean it is cheaper to use foreign fuel?
That is what I understand by economic reasons.
I guessed the Parliamentary Secretary might get a little tied up in this. Is he aware that the question of employment of Irish people must also come into it? Have the Government considered fully the economic effect of having thousands of men unemployed as a result of the decision to burn foreign fuel? Has the Parliamentary Secretary taken that into account when he speaks of economic reasons?
I agree. That again is covered by economics.
I do not agree. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in reply to Deputy Sweetman yesterday his Minister gave a reply which suggests that only the actual cost of the fuel was considered and not the effect it was likely to have on the employment of people throughout the country?
Effects of that nature.
You forgot them quickly.