asked the Minister for Transport and Power the position of the ESB regarding the supply of power to bulk tank farmers in County Cork in view of the fact that bulk tanks purchased by farmers in County Cork over a year ago have not yet been connected; and if he will make a statement on the lack of co-operation between the IAOS and the ESB in the rationalisation of the dairy industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Bulk Milk Tanks.
8.
I am informed by the ESB that the board are not aware of cases where bulk milk tanks which were installed on farms in County Cork over a year ago have not had supply connected. If the Deputy will provide the names and addresses of those farmers whom he has in mind the matter will be investigated by the ESB. In general there is usually some unavoidable delay between the time at which application for increased supply is made and the time when it is possible to carry out the work involved. This is due to the necessity for programming of work by the board and to take into account the best utilisation of the available skilled manpower resources.
Inconvenience which might otherwise arise due to the time lag necessarily brought about by work programming can be reduced to a minimum by adequate advance notice to the board of those locations where it is intended to install bulk milk tanks. This aspect of the matter is at present being studied jointly by the board, An Foras Talúntais, ICMSA, IFA and a dairy industry working party.
For many years the extensive network erected during the first stages of rural electrification was underutilised. The bulk tank installation programme has now coincided with the final stage of the present rural electrification programme and both of these activities make heavy short term demands on ESB skilled manpower resources.
While the board have no primary responsibility in the rationalisation of the dairy industry the board are very willing to co-operate with any organisation, including the IAOS, with which they can identify common objectives.
I did not hear what the Minister said. What did they do to help the small farmers in Cork? They did nothing. There must definitely be something wrong between the IAOS and the ESB. There was no need for a long rigmarole which has nothing to do with this problem. There is a bit of bluffing.
Would the Minister convey to the appropriate Minister that, if he is not already aware of the situation in Cork, all he has to do is to check with the ESB and with any of the farming organisations? Will the Minister tell the appropriate Minister that there is a widespread and serious problem in the Cork area where farmers have capital tied up in bulk milk tanks and so on and cannot get ESB connections.
I will convey the Deputy's remarks to the Minister.
Question No. 9.