asked the Minister for Lands if, in view of the scarcity and cost of fuel for energy, the Land Commission will make bogs available to applicants for the winning of turf as a matter of urgency.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Turf Supplies.
54.
(Cavan): The demand for bog plots or turf banks showed a steady downward trend in recent years and this, of course, led to a decrease in the activities of the Land Commission in regard to the acquisition, development and division of bogs. The position is, however, being reviewed in the light of the present situation. Bogs in the possession of the Land Commission will, provided there is sufficient demand, be divided without avoidable delay. Pending final division, these bogs will, as heretofore, be available for turf production on seasonal lettings.
Would the Minister consider making extra money available to the Land Commission for the repair of roads into these bogs?
(Cavan): That is a separate question referring to the provision and allocation of moneys for the repair of bog roads. That matter would be more appropriate to the Department of Local Government than to my Department.
The Minister is aware that the Minister for Local Government has already stated that local authorities cannot spend money on roads other than county roads?
This is a separate question.
The Land Commission own these roads and I think they are responsible for the repair and maintenance of them.
(Cavan): What the Minister for Local Government said is perfectly correct. I do not propose to elaborate further on it. Any funds that are to be made available for the repair of bog roads are the concern of the Department of Local Government and not of my Department.
Would the Minister not agree that the Land Commission did spend money on bog roads already?
(Cavan): I would prefer not to get into an in-depth discussion on this which is obviously a separate question about which I have no material in my brief.
The Minister is aware that before the local authorities got the LAS Schemes from the Office of Public Works, that office were doing work on bog roads. No work is being done under these schemes now except on a contributory basis.
(Cavan): That is the message I was trying to get through to Deputies Wilson and MacSharry. It is a matter for some other Department and not for my Department.
Arising out of the Minister's reply——
We can have no more questions on this matter which obviously does not refer at all to the Minister at present answering questions in the House. I am calling Question No. 55.