asked the Minister for Transport and Power if his Department is aware that the ESB intends to defer indefinitely major schemes scheduled for 1975 and 1976 and of the consequent loss of employment; and the steps he proposes to take on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - ESB Schemes Deferment.
26.
The capital programme of the Electricity Supply Board depends on the rate of growth of demand for electricity. I am informed by the board that due to the recent falling off in the growth pattern it has been necessary to postpone some major projects.
As regards the employment situation, the board has informed me that a number of temporary employees have been laid off in some areas around the country in recent months according as the necessity for their employment ceased but the board hopes that future recovery in the growth rate will be such as to avoid redundancies among permanent employees.
Is the Minister aware of the postponement of the completion of the rural development scheme by the ESB, and is he also aware that the Electricity Supply Board have not got any increased capital allocation from the Government over the past year to meet inflation?
I think I have answered the question put to me. This question raises other matters only rather thinly connected with the first question.
Could the Minister say if the erection of the new power lines from Tarbert to Galway has been postponed indefinitely?
That is a specific question.
It is part of the overall development of the ESB.
It is an entirely separate question, as you have pointed out, a Cheann Comhairle.
In regard to the Minister's reference to the drop in consumption of electricity, could I ask him if the campaign launched by the Department helped towards that position and if now, as a result of that campaign, we are having a state of unemployment in the ESB? If that is the position, would the Minister, as a Labour Deputy for Dublin City, convey his displeasure at that situation?
The Deputy's question is a slightly frivolous one.
How can a Minister allege that anybody who asks a question about unemployment at this time is being frivolous?
We cannot engage in argument on this question.
I am not arguing. I am asking the Minister whether, if he sees the point that the campaign to reduce the consumption of electricity has led to unemployment, as he has stated in his reply, he, as a Labour Minister in the Government——
The Deputy is repeating himself.
——will convey his displeasure to the appropriate Minister? That is not frivolous.
Are you going to allow the Minister to reply?
He may think it is frivolous.
The Deputy does not want an answer, I take it.
I certainly do.
The Deputy is well aware of the very serious energy crisis which affects this country as well as every other country. He also understands well the need for economy in the use of electricity. Economy comes not only from any campaign but from the realisation on the part of individual consumers of the need to reduce their consumption where the cost of energy has risen so steeply. That is all I need say in relation to that aspect.
Question No. 27.
May I ask a supplementary?
The Chair has allowed a lot of latitude on this question. A final supplementary from Deputy Blaney.
Can the Minister say how much money the Government have made out of the crisis which they created all the fuss about?
That is a separate question.
It is contemptible of Deputy Blaney to suggest that the Government have sought to profit from the situation.
(Interruptions.)
Order. The Chair has called the next question. We must have finality at some stage.
Is the Minister not prepared to accept the seriousness of the situation?
The Chair has called the next question. There is no need for engendering heat.
The heat is dear now.
Are you concerned, Sir, with the employment situation or, like the Minister, are you, too, saying it is frivolous.
The Deputy must obey the Chair.
The Ceann Comhairle will be returned automatically in the next election.