Vol. 272 No. 7
asked the Minister for Transport and Power the steps he proposes to take to ensure that ample supplies of turf will be produced this year to offset the high price of coal which is causing a heavy strain on the balance of payments position of the country.
14.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will state the increased tonnage of turf that he expects will be produced this year to offset the heavy cost of imported fuel.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.
The production target of Bord na Móna this year is the maximum possible output from their bogs and briquette factories. Given favourable weather conditions, production could show an increase of 0.7 million tons on 1973 production.
Bord na Móna have recently announced general plans for the substantial development of the bog areas which had previously been considered unsuitable for economic development in face of low cost imported fuels. These plans will result in a considerable saving in fuel imports but will, of course, take some years to implement.
Could the Minister give me any facts in relation to the likely increases in the private sector?
I have not any figures for that.
I should like the Minister to bring to the notice of his Department that a number of people wish to use the old bogs in rural areas.
Up to the time of the increase in oil prices last year certain bogs were thought to be uneconomic by Bord na Móna. The board are again looking at these bogs because with the further probable increases in fuel prices it may be found that to develop them would be an economic proposition. Bord na Móna are examining the position.
