asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the increased charges announced by the Electricity Supply Board were made after consultation with him and were based on the completion of the accounts of the Board for the period 1930-31, and further if he will furnish to the Dáil a statement showing the old and new charges for all purposes.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increased Electricity Charges.
The increase in charges was made by the Board in the exercise of its own discretion after 1 had called attention to its obligations under the Electricity Supply Acts. So far as I am aware, the Board's accounts for the period 1930-31 have not been completed. Any person desiring a statement of the new as compared with the old charges should apply to the Board.
Is the Minister serious in suggesting to the Dáil that any Board could possibly fix charges that would bring the Board into the position that is required by the Act without having the accounts before them? Is the Minister prepared to state that the increases are just guess-work and that we will be faced later on with a further alteration in prices?
These are all questions that should be addressed to the Board.
I would like to say——
The Deputy is surely not going to make a speech now?
I would like to ask the Minister if we are to take it that the situation with regard to the Electricity Supply Board is such that they do not know themselves how their finances stand, and that it would be useless to ask the Board the question I have asked the Minister. If they have not got the accounts they cannot answer the question any more than the Minister. Is the Minister prepared to allow things to go on and not get something definite done?
If the accounts are in the state the Deputy suggests, I am sure all the criticism the Deputy has passed on them is justified.
The Minister has always denied the criticism I have passed on them. The Minister has always stated, even in the electricity debates, that as far as he knew there would be no alteration in prices, that on the basis of the prices fixed, the scheme would be a paying one, that it would cover capital repayment, sinking fund and all overhead charges.
Did I understand the Deputy to say that I said the old charges were sufficient?
Yes.
I should like to have the quotation.
To satisfy the Minister's curiosity, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the adjournment. I shall then give the quotation.
What is going to be raised on the adjournment?
Question No. 4.
What is there in question No. 4 that can be raised on the adjournment?
In view of the unsatisfactory answer of the Minister, who admitted that these charges were raised before the Board had the accounts before them and before they could know what they should charge to make the scheme pay under the Act, I said I intended to raise the matter on the adjournment.
As I am not responsible for the raising of the charges, I shall not be here to answer the question on the adjournment.
Is the Minister not responsible for the scheme?
The scheme is one thing; the charges are another.
The scheme would be a rather big thing to raise on the adjournment. I understood the Minister to say that the charges were fixed by the Board in the exercise of its own discretion. I am afraid, therefore, that the Deputy could not raise that matter on the adjournment.
You can rule any way you like——
The Deputy should not say that I can rule at my own sweet will. I cannot.
Well, you will rule one way or another. It is a farce for the Minister to make a statement that he is not responsible for the scheme or the Board when he, in fact, with the Executive Council dismissed——
The Deputy must not make a speech now.
rose.
Next question.