Section 27 deals with solid fuel. Coal is sold by weight and not by the bag. I understand that peat and firewood are exempted. What is the difference? They are both for domestic use, by and large. Why must coal be sold legally by measure while wood and peat do not have to be sold by measure?
SECTION 27.
Question proposed: "That section 27 stand part of the Bill."
I do not know the answer.
May I suggest it has something to do with the water content of peat and logs? There is an in-built variant.
The Minister might search for the answer. He always comes up with something unusual.
Section 27(1) is of no assistance to Deputy O'Keeffe because it makes the distinction purely between solid fuel and peat and wood. I imagine — and I shall verify this for the Deputy — that there is a perfectly common sense explanation for the purchase of coal by weight. I do not recall either timber or turf being bought by weight.
It was sold on the streets of Dublin by weight. The problem was that the logs were always saturated and one was never sure whether one was getting good value for money. It was the same with the peat.
I have found since I started this Bill that Government colleagues have been of tremendous assistance to me, my own in particular. That seems to bear out the line of territory at which I was stabbing, which is that generally speaking turf is sold by the bag and briquettes are sold by the bale. I do not know whether the difference between coal and other fuel is traditional. I will attempt to get a more precise explanation for the Deputy. It is an interesting point which never occurred to me.
Deputy Byrne has mentioned an interesting point about the high moisture content of timber and turf. One could put plenty of moisture in coal as well.
I greatly doubt that is the answer. I am sure the Minister will find a clearer answer and advise you accordingly.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 28 and 29 agreed to.