asked the Minister for Transport and Power if any negotiations with other governments or government bodies have taken place in an effort to get increased coal supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coal Supplies.
133.
No such negotiations have taken place at official level but Irish coal importers acting in concert have succeeded in arrangeing for substantial supplies of coal and the supply position is now almost back to normal.
Did the Minister say: "normal"?
Yes; indeed I did.
134.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power the amount of coal in stock in Ireland at the latest available date; and how this compares with the figures for the corresponding period last year.
135.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power the proportion of available stocks of coal which is allocated for domestic use.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together.
Statistics are not maintained by my Department of coal stocks in the country from time to time. Neither does my Department operate a scheme for the allocation of coal to particular categories of users. I may say, however, that the great bulk of our coal imports is suitable for domestic use and that supplies are now generally adequate to meet all demands.
Would the Minister not agree that in the period mentioned in these questions considerable quantities of coal were hoarded for long periods by the coal merchants until the £9 increase was granted? Does the Minister not agree that this was the case?
First of all the questions do not refer to a particular period. I have no information to that effect.