Vol. 411 No. 1
78 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Energy the current position regarding the future of the ESB power station at Allenwood, County Kildare, and the peat briquette factory at Lullymore, County Kildare; if he will confirm that there is no likelihood of the closure of either of these operations in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The position in relation to the ESB power station at Allenwood has not changed since my last reply to the Deputy on this issue on 16 May 1991. The ESB will continue to operate the power station and Bord na Móna will supply turf to the station as long as supplies from the local Bord na Móna bogs permit.
The Deputy will be aware that the critical factor in relation to Allenwood Station is the ability of ESB to operate there, having regard to the age of the station and the possibility of a major breakdown occurring.
In relation to the Lullymore briquette factory, the position is that the whole question of briquetting capacity is currently under scrutiny by the solid fuels division of Bord na Móna. This matter is being considered in relation to all four of the company's briquette factories. When this study is completed the board will be in a position to give consideration to the appropriate strategies to be followed in that division.
