asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether, in view of the prohibitive prices of fuels, he will consider conducting a survey of all bogs from which turf cannot be cut due to their waterlogged condition; and if he will make a special fund available for this purpose.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bog Survey.
39.
The Deputy may have in mind the introduction of emergency schemes such as was done during the last world war period. I do not consider that the extent or possible duration of the present difficulties would justify the introduction of such schemes.
Funds are already available under the local improvements scheme, for which provision is made in the Vote for the Department of Local Government, for the drainage of small bogs worked by groups of farmers.
I might also mention that Bord na Móna are preparing plans to expand their activities, including a substantial increase in the production of sod peat and briquettes for sale through their normal outlets.
I should like to ask one general question which the Minister will be able to answer in relation to all these questions so far. In view of the energy crisis, has he had consultations with any of the relevant authorities such as the local authorities, or the officers of his own Department and other Departments, regarding the need to do something in a special way to meet the increased turf production which will be required this year?
Have I had discussions with other Departments?
Yes. Surely this is a national problem with regard to the potential output from the bogs this year over and above any other year due to the emergency. If the Minister is doing his job, he must be probing the requirements to meet this in the matter of roads, a survey of bogs, construction of new roads, the allocation of bog plots, a survey of what bogs are available in the country and where Bord na Móna will open new schemes. This is a national emergency.
It is not a national emergency. It is a very serious situation but it is not an emergency. Bord na Móna are the statutory authority with responsibility for turf. As I said in reply to this question and to an earlier one, they are preparing a report for me on how much further they can go into bogs that appeared to be uneconomic up to now. Up to last September, they had decided that they were at the limit of bogs that could be uneconomically harvested. That position has changed because of the increased price of oil making turf more competitive than it was up to that. They are at present investigating for the Department of Transport and Power what other bogs can be brought into production as quickly as possible. As I said to Deputy Cunningham, obviously this is urgent because the harvest season for turf is coming near and they must have a decision made and a list of the bogs ready to go ahead at that time.
Is there a Government decision generally to run down arterial drainage work?
That has nothing to do with the question.
The Minister seems to be placing greater emphasis on the extension of the activities of Bord na Móna in turf production. Has he held consultations with——
Question No. 39 is a specific question about bogs from which turf cannot be cut due to their waterlogged condition.
The Minister did not answer the question asked by Deputy Brennan as to whether, in fact, he had held consultations regarding access to bogs not to facilitate Bord na Móna who use heavy machinery.
Question No. 40.
I am asking whether the Minister had consultations with the local authorities and with the Minister for Local Government about increasing the allocation to provide for improvements in roads?
Question No. 39 deals specifically with bogs.
In his reply the Minister dealt only with bogs in which Bord na Móna would be interested. This year quite a substantial number of householders will be anxious to cut their own turf and this will involve surveys of smaller bogs.
The Deputy is well aware that that could not all be dealt with at Question Time.
This is a supplementary question.
Question No. 40.
Is the Minister aware that most of the money on the LIS grants is spent on laneways and very little on the drainage of bogs? That is why I put down the question.
Does the Deputy mean that the money from the local authorities is spent mainly on laneways?
Yes.
That is a matter for the Minister for Local Government.
That has nothing to do with the Minister for Transport and Power.
Originally there was no contribution to these schemes but when they were taken over by the local authorities there had to be a contribution. Would the Minister ask the Minister for Local Government to change the system so that the schemes could be done without contribution?
That is a matter for the Minister for Local Government.
It is a matter of a supply of fuel.
It is a matter of a supply of fuel for private people. I am concerned with the general fuel position. If there is a road into a private bog, the view of the Minister for Local Government is that there should be a contribution from the owner of that bog.
We agree with that but what consultations has the Minister had?
Deputy Callanan does not agree with it. He wants it done for nothing.
That was not the case before.
Is the Minister aware——
Question No. 40, please.
The Minister has a very casual approach to this problem.
I have not.