asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, in view of the enormous increase in the cost of fuel oil and coal, he will ensure that turf production is brought up to a level for domestic use in excess of the production levels obtaining in the years 1944 to 1948 thereby saving valuable foreign exchange and helping to redress the import-export balance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Turf Production.
33.
Bord na Móna are the national authority charged by the Government with the exploitation of our turf deposits. The annual tonnage of briquettes and machine turf produced by Bord na Móna for sale to the public is at present about 800,000 tons which is in excess of the average combined production during the years 1944/48 by the county councils and Bord na Móna. In addition Bord na Móna are at present supplying about 400,000 tons of machine turf and about two million tons of milled peat a year for the generation of electricity over and above the quantities produced in 1944/48. The board are developing proposals for increasing their output still further, in view of current and prospect supply and price trends.
It is understood that the production of turf by farmers for their own use has fallen very considerably.
As a result of certain technological advances does the Minister consider that small bogs which were previously considered uneconomic could now be brought into use?
Bord na Móna are looking at this to see if it is possible.
Is there any proposal in the Minister's Department, when these bogs are completed, to develop them for the production of root crops as distinct from tree-planting?
This is not a question for me but I understand that An Foras Talúntais have been conducting experiments on some of the bogs in the midlands and have been producing very successfully high quality and increased crops of vegetables. They are now examining, with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, what further use can be made of these bogs.
Do I take it that in view of the steep increase in the price of oil and the likelihood of further increases that Bord na Móna are revising this outlook as to the feasibility of increasing greatly their output of fuel for domestic purposes?
I cannot say if Bord na Móna are extending considerably but they are examining again bogs which six months ago would have appeared to be uneconomic to harvest. They intend presenting a report to me during the next few months to see if the Government would approve or encourage them to go ahead with this.
I understand the most economic layer is the bottom layer— the real black turf—and it is not cut for fuel because it improves the crop-growing qualities. Has the Minister any proposals on this?
The Deputy should put down that question to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries because it is primarily his concern. The Minister has approached me so that a policy might be devised regarding the depth to which bogs should be cut, whether it is better to leave the lowest level of turbary and produce vegetables there, or whether we should cut it and use it for fuel consumption.
The Minister accepts it is an important matter?
It is an important matter and it has been thoroughly examined.
Have the Government any policy in these changed circumstances with regard to local authorities, health boards and other institutions who are serviced by oil? Is there any policy for substituting turf for heating.
The policy has been that public institutions should use turf but this has been departed from in recent years because oil was so cheap. However, in the light of the present circumstances we will have to look into the matter and consider whether we should reinforce the directive to public institutions to use turf.
34.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will investigate the feasibility of developing the bogs in County Tipperary for the purpose of siting a peat-fuelled generating station there, as there are thousands of undeveloped acres available.
I am informed by Bord na Móna that they are at present investigating undeveloped bog areas in County Tipperary with a view to determining the best method of expanding production in the county. The method of utilising this expanded production will depend on the result of the investigation.
35.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, in order to deal in a long term manner with the fuel problem in County Donegal, he will (a) make extra moneys available to Bord na Móna to enable them to increase production of machine-won turf and (b) allocate finance to Donegal County Council for the purpose of improving existing bog roads and constructing new bog roads so that private individuals can provide their own supplies of handwon turf.
I am informed by Bord na Móna that a former general examination of the bogs in County Donegal showed that there were no further areas suitable for mechanical production by the board's present methods, but that the matter is being re-examined.
Small grants from funds provided in the Vote for Transport and Power are available for the improvement and maintenance of bog and accommodation roads over which turf is removed from bogs for delivery to the small power stations at Gweedore, Screebe, Miltown-Malbay and Cahirciveen. There are no funds at my disposal from which a grant for any other roads could be made available.
Will the Minister ensure that the further investigation of suitable bogs for light turf machines will take place immediately in view of the urgency of the problem? Could he ensure that the existing facilities for providing machine-won turf in Donegal would produce more? Further, would the Minister indicate if other agencies might be brought into this, for instance, the Department of Local Government? There is no use in the Minister splitting hairs and talking about the money under his control. This is a national emergency and, as far as Donegal is concerned, it is a major emergency. Surely the resources of all Departments, including Local Government, Transport and Power, and Industry and Commerce should be made available?
The investigation is being undertaken urgently for two reasons. First, because of the present fuel situation and, secondly, if we are to do it this year Bord na Móna will require a decision on the matter very quickly so that they may go ahead in the harvest season. With regard to money for roads, my Department can only provide money for roads leading to bogs. The Department of Local Government provide for ordinary county roads. The Deputy should work through his local county council who are the road authority in Donegal and have the money voted by the county council. If he is a member of the local authority he can vote that money himself.
I am not a member of a local authority. In a state of emergency would the Minister not agree that instructions and money should go to the local authority to ensure that people wishing to cut turf, whether for their own use or for commercial use, should have roads leading into the bogs? Otherwise we will not have a turf crop of the magnitude required this year.
Of course, if the Minister for Local Government passes that money and gives that instruction I would agree with it. It is a matter for him.
In view of the fuel problem, is it not a matter for the Minister for Transport and Power?
We cannot have an argument at Question Time.
Will the Minister not use his good offices, and do more if necessary, to ensure that the Minister for Local Government will do that?
It is a matter for the Minister for Local Government.
Will the Minister not agree that the Office of Public Works have done this kind of work already?
I do not know.
It has been done, as agents for the Minister for Transport and Power.
The Office of Public Works have done such work with the funds available from my Department. I thought the Deputy was speaking about separate funds.