I should like to endorse this section which provides the funds needed for the expansion of Bord na Móna. I am sorry if somnolence or any other factor prevented Senator McQuillan and Senator Leneghan from hearing my explicit rejection of any proposal to substitute oil for turf.
Turf Development Bill, 1965: Committee and Final Stages.
Question proposed: "That section 1 stand part of the Bill."
I did not speak on Second Stage but I should like to say that this seems to be eminently worthwhile. Turf development has gone on in a splendid way, and now we are allowing Bord na Móna to borrow money on their own credit. I want to make the point that when we talk about the wonderful development of turf in this country we must remember that as far back as 1923 R. N. Tweedy was preaching what was started in 1946. I remember also that in 1936 the Labour Party were going almost endlessly to the Fianna Fáil Government asking them to develop turf and suggesting we could produce electricity from turf. The Fianna Fáil Government at that time were contemptuous of the suggestion and it was not until ten or 15 years later that it became possible to develop it. I do not think the initial stages should be quite glossed over as if everything started in, and nothing was possible until, 1946.
I think the Senator is wrong in his dates.
The first Bog Commission was in 1865.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 2 to 4, inclusive, agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment, received for final consideration and passed.
Sitting suspended at 6.20 p.m. and resumed at 7.30 p.m.