asked the Minister for Transport and Power the plans he has for peatlands when their productivity capacity has been exhausted; and if they could be utilised for the purpose of growing root crops.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cutaway Bog Utilisation.
132.
Bord na Móna are engaged on experiments in association with An Foras Talúntais to establish the optimum utilisation of the cutaway bog. The experiments include the growing of vegetables. Plans have not yet been settled.
In so far as Bord na Móna are concerned sufficient cutaway bog for large scale operation will not be available for many years.
Can the Minister tell me if it has been established that, provided the last layer of bog used for fuel is retained, it can be most productive in relation to root crops? In other words Bord na Móna and the vegetable companies could get together.
I could not answer a technical question of that kind. I know the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries are concerned about the possible availability of cutaway bogs and the depth to which they could be worked by Bord na Móna for fuel harvesting. That suggests that there may be something in the point which the Deputy has raised.
Can the Minister say if bogs which were previously deemed to be uneconomic could now be considered economic having regard to fuel prices?
The Deputy is broadening the subject matter of the question.
That relates to the two previous questions and was answered in the replies which referred to the investigation currently being carried out.
Perhaps the Minister would bring my observations to the attention of the Minister for Transport and Power.
Of course.