asked the Minister for Energy if the review body set up some years ago to report on cutaway bogs have given him a timetable of when they will have their report finalised.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cutaway Bogs Report.
4.
The interdepartmental committee submitted an interim report in 1979 which was published. I am informed that they now have a draft final report prepared but that this requires further consideration by the committee. I expect that the committee will complete their work in the next few months and I will be reviewing the matter in receipt of their report.
Can the Minister give any indication of the success or otherwise they had in relation to development of biomass or producing grass from some of the cutaway bogs? What are his own views about the future use of the cutaway bogs?
If I were to reply directly to the Deputy I would be pre-empting the report of the committee. Consequently I do not intend to do so. It would be in the interest of everybody on all sides of this House to await the final report and then have a discussion in this House and allow some time for the Members of the House to consider the report and its implications. It is reasonable to say that there are differences of opinion throughout the country as to the best possible uses of cutaway bogs. I hope when we get the report to have a full discussion in this House to which all Members can contribute and then to outline policy for the future of cutaway bogs.
The Chair should not have allowed the last supplementary question. This is about a timetable.
We are back on the rates again. I will not delay on this. Can I have an assurance that no policy decisions will be taken in anticipation of a full debate in this House?
Some private developers have taken an interest in cutaway bogs; will this be considered also?
This question is about a report which presumably will come before the House.