Richard Bruton
Question:36 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the proposals, if any, he has to secure the future of employment in Bord na Móna; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Bord na Móna Employment.
Bord na Móna has sufficient reserves of peat to last for the next 30 to 40 years. The Government strongly believes that peat should continue to provide a significant part of our energy requirements as long as reserves last and provided they can be exploited at reasonable cost.
The Culliton report was very criticial of the cost burden which peat places on the shoulders of electricity consumers and I am very anxious to see this implicit subsidy reduced, and ultimately eliminated. This will require continued efforts within Bord na Móna to achieve cost savings and productivity improvements, building further on the achievements of recent years.
The board is currently carrying out a feasibility study for a new peat fired electricity generating station. If the project is feasible, it will be a major contributor in the drive to improve Bord na Móna's financial situation and to reduce the cost of peat-generated electricity. It will also help ensure that the remaining peat reserves will be fully developed and will help to sustain levels of employment. The study will be submitted to my Department at the end of May, 1993.