asked the Minister for Energy whether he is aware of the many complaints in regard to the poor quality of coal offered for sale in the country in recent times; whether he has had this matter investigated; and, if so, the results of the investigations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coal Quality.
10.
I am aware that there have been some complaints about the quality of coal offered for sale in this country in recent months, though only three specific complaints have come to my notice.
These complaints are being investigated and though full details are not yet available the complaints basically seem to stem from the fact that coal from Poland—our principal supplier for many years past—has been available in limited quantities only in recent months. The shortfall has been made good largely by suppliers of American coal, some of which was, I have been told, not altogether suitable for the Irish market, nor as acceptable to consumers as Polish coal. I have also been told that there has been a recent improvement in this respect and that everything possible to obtain the best available coal for the Irish consumer is being done.
Could the Minister define "not suitable for the Irish market"? Does that mean it does not burn?
I understand it burns in a slightly different way and that it has to be built up in the fire somewhat differently. So the importers inform us.
Does it burn with indignation at the cost of living?
In view of the fact that Coal Distributors Limited got the consent of the Government of the day to establish a monopoly in distribution, is the Minister satisfied that this privately-owned, State approved monopoly are exercising their responsibility with due care having regard to the information he has just given the House?
The position of Coal Distributors Limited in Dublin has been examined on a number of occasions since the merged company was established in the early seventies. There is no evidence that their position has been abused. My recollection from when I dealt with these matters is that there is evidence to show that the price of coal is cheaper in Dublin than it would be if we had not this arrangement.
Would the Minister not agree that he has just put on the record of the House evidence to the effect that the position has been abused because of the fact that they are importing coal which does not burn properly?
The complaints came from Cork mainly rather than Dublin, and Coal Distributors Limited do not import coal into Cork or distribute it there. The American coal is a different type coal. The American producers were not in the habit for the past 20 years or so of producing what we regard as domestic coal. They produced steam coal in the United States. It took the mine operators about 12 months to produce coal of a quality and in a fashion which was more acceptable to the Irish market. It is still a different type of coal from the Polish coal. It is the view of many people that perhaps it is not as good as the Polish coal. We hope the position in Poland will improve.