asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will provide assistance towards the extension, repair and maintenance of bog roads.
33.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bog Roads.
32.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that thousands of tons of hand-cut turf cannot be removed from bogs in the west of Ireland in winter months due to lack of suitable access roads; and if he will take steps to assist in the repair of such roads and facilitate the use of native fuel.
34.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if it is Government policy to encourage the use of native fuels at all times; and if he will list the State aids available for the extension, repair and maintenance of bog roads.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 33 and 34 together.
Since 1946 it has been Government policy to encourage the use of native fuels. Effect has been given to this policy through the use of turf and Irish coal for the generation of electricity and by ensuring that State, semi-State and local authorities give a preference to native fuels for space and water heating and other heat loads normally associated with buildings under their control.
Responsibility for the improvement of roads, including roads in bog areas, falls mainly on the Minister for Local Government. Grants are available to county councils for improvement works under the local improvements scheme administered by that Minister. The scheme includes bog roads.
Grants for the improvement of minor access roads and bog roads are also given by Roinn na Gaeltachta. These works are extended by the county councils.
My responsibility in this connection is limited to the provision of small grants for the improvement and maintenance of bog and accommodation roads used for the delivery of turf to the small power stations at Gweedore, Screebe, Miltown Malbay and Cahirciveen. There are no funds at my disposal from which a grant for other bog roads could be given.
I have received no representation in recent months about difficulties in removing hand-cut turf from the bogs to the stations.
Would the Minister agree that the reason he has received no representation for the removal of turf from the bogs is because the people cannot get into them? As I said earlier today, we have gone away from the day of the ass and side creel to get into bogs. You must have tractors today and most of the roads are unsuitable for them. Nobody will go into them. The road must come first before the Minister can expect representations to be made to him about getting out turf.
As I said in my reply, under the local improvements scheme administered by the county councils it is possible for them to improve these roads.
Is the Minister aware that the allocation given by the Department of Local Government to Galway County Council in 1972-73, 1973-74 and the 1st of April to the 31st December, 1974, was not completely spent by the Fianna Fáil dominated Galway County Council?
Does the Minister confirm that Bord na Móna will contribute their share towards a local improvements scheme?
I said that under the local improvements scheme, which is the one Deputy Donnellan is referring to in regard to Galway County Council, the county councils can use this scheme for the building of bog roads if they wish. I did not mention Bord na Móna at all.
In relation to roads into bogs which Bord na Móna use, will the Minister confirm that they will pay their share along with the other local applicants, who are required to pay into the local improvements scheme which the county councils operate?
I understand, as Deputy Lalor says, that there is a contribution required from the users of the road and that would include Bord na Móna.
Will Bord na Móna have to pay for it?
Yes.
The Minister spoke about encouragement being given over the years to people to cut turf. Does the Minister and Bord na Móna agree that the present advertisement calling on people not to burn turf along with other fuels, is doing a lot of harm?
The Deputy is raising a separate matter now.
Daily on the radio people are being asked not to burn turf.
Does the Deputy mean to conserve energy?
Yes. They are being asked not to burn turf.
I do not think that is part of the advertisement.
I hear it three and four times a day.
Is the Minister aware that the Government allocation under the local improvements scheme to the local authorities is grossly inadequate and that they are able to do only a few schemes each year?
The Galway County Council did not spend all they got.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 35.
(Interruptions.)