asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that the fuel situation in Balbriggan is very bad at the moment, and that the fuel merchants there have no supplies at all to supply the 140 poor people who hold fuel vouchers; and if, in view of this, he will take immediate steps to have the situation remedied and prevent a recurrence of this state of affairs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fuel Supplies in Balbriggan and Skerries.
asked the Minister for Supplies if his attention has been drawn to the fuel position in Skerries, which is very bad; and if he will take immediate steps to remedy it and prevent a recurrence of the present situation.
asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that, for a period of several weeks, the residents of Skerries, County Dublin, have been without turf or other fuel of any description, that many of them are without fires and are obliged to cat their food cold; that the local merchants have applied in Dublin for a supply of turf but were unable to obtain supplies; and whether he will state the reason why the merchants were refused supplies of turf, and further, whether he will take the appropriate steps to secure for them a sufficient supply to enable them to fill the ration of their customers.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4, 5 and 6 together. The normal difficulties which occur at this period of the year, when owing to weather conditions there is an increasing demand for turf together with a steady reduction in the quantity of immediately saleable turf arriving by rail, have been experienced in Balbriggan and Skerries as in other parts of the non-turf area. The necessary-steps were taken to deal with the situation in Balbriggan and Skerries as soon as the difficulties there were brought to the notice of my Department, and it is not anticipated that there will be a recurrence of these difficulties during the present winter.
Is the Minister aware that while turf is available in Dublin a good many poor people are unable to obtain supplies because the bellmen and tife hucksters' shops are not able to cart a sufficient quantity of it, and that, in consequence, there is a grave situation in Dublin?
I am not so aware.
Will the Minister inquire?
I have made inquiries.
Is the Minister aware that on Thursday last 400 bellmen were turned away and could not get sapplies?
The turf dumps in Phoenix Park were opened on Monday last, and there is plenty of turf there for them.
Mr. Larkin
Plenty of turf and no money to handle it is of no use.