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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Jun 1926

Vol. 16 No. 2

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RESERVING COAL SUPPLIES.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the continuance of the coal strike in Great Britain, it is proposed to take any action either to reduce the number of railway services in the Saorstát, or to limit the consumption of coal in any other way.

Mr. HOGAN (for Minister for Industry and Commerce)

The action referred to in the question could only be taken under regulations made in accordance with the Protection of the Community (Special Powers) Act. According to my information such action is not necessary at the moment, though the situation may change so rapidly as to render it soon advisable. Since only one of many available sources of coal supply is at present closed I would expect coal merchants to maintain supplies without any serious difficulty and without the need of cumbersome and drastic regulations.

Is the Minister aware that even in the event of a settlement of the British dispute, stocks in Great Britain are being so depleted that it will be difficult to renew stocks here for a considerable period, probably a month, and are the Executive Council taking steps to seek other sources of supply from which we might obtain coal in the event of the dispute being long continued?

Would the Minister not consider this an opportune time to assist local mines?

Would the Minister draw the Minister's attention to the fact, if he is not already aware of it, that shipping companies and others are departing from the usual course by taking in supplies of coal from Irish stocks and are thereby depleting Irish resources?

Mr. HOGAN

I will draw the Minister's attention to the various points raised.

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