asked the Minister for Transport and Power the prospects for peat production in so far as the ESB are concerned; if there is an export market for briquettes and, if so, to what extent; if he will estimate the employment by Bord na Móna in the future; in what way his Department are encouraging the use of native fuel as against imported fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Peat Production.
22.
I am informed by the ESB that they will continue for the next 20 years to take the normal quantities (about ½ million tons of sodpeat and 2¼ million tons of milled peat) at the existing peat fired generating stations and that the annual total of milled peat consumed will increase to about 2¼ million tons when the Shannonbridge No. 2 generating set is commissioned in 1976.
A small trade in briquettes has developed in Northern Ireland and Britain, mainly to Northern Ireland. Exports in 1971-72 were about 7 per cent of total sales of briquettes.
A weekly average of 4,600 was employed by Bord na Móna in 1971-72 and it is expected that this will gradually increase to 4,800 over the next three years.
My Department have no legal power to influence the choice of fuel in the private sector of the economy.
As regards the public sector, it is long-standing policy that the ESB accord the maximum practicable load to the peat-fired generating stations.
In connection with the rest of the public sector the Government decided in 1960 in response to proposals by my predecessor as Minister for Transport and Power that each Minister should endeavour to ensure:
(1) that, to the utmost practicable extent, the following native fuels, namely, turf, Irish coal and electricity, should be given preference for use by his Department and by all local authorities and institutions, semi-state bodies and other organisations which are associated with him or which he is in a position to influence in this regard; and
(2) that such bodies or organisations contemplating the erection of new buildings or the reconstruction of old ones should consult with Bord na Móna and/or the Electricity Supply Board at the earliest practicable stage with a view to giving these boards ample opportunity to demonstrate the practicability of using turf or electricity.
This is still the policy. The use of coal and turf involves serious practical and economic difficulties in some locations. In the circumstances, I have appointed a small committee to examine and report on measures to maximise the use of native fuel in the public sector.