asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that transport facilities, which were afforded to about 80 persons in the Clonmel area between April and August last year to enable them at week-ends to cut turf in the neighbourhood, have been refused by Córas Iompair Éireann this year; and, if so, if, in view of the desirability of having an adequate fuel supply provided for Clonmel, he will take steps to have the necessary transport arranged.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport Facilities for Turf Cutters.
I am aware that the transport facilities to which the Deputy refers have been discontinued this year by Córas Iompair Éireann. The company's action in the matter is in accordance with the instructions given by my Department. The decision that petrol cannot in present circumstances be made available for the conveyance of private turf cutters to bogs is of general application.
In view of the suggestion, or statement, made by members of the Government, to the effect that the fuel situation is likely to be worse this year than it was last year and, on the other hand, that the petrol situation will not be worse than last year, will the Minister not say something about the fuel position in Clonmel and tell us how are the 80 persons in the Clonmel area, who had these facilities last year, to carry on with the cutting of the turf this year?
Facilities of the kind referred to by the Deputy were given in the Clonmel area last year, but only in the Clonmel area. In no other part of the country, except Clonmel, were these facilities provided, but this year, in present circumstances, petrol cannot be made available for the conveyance of fuel producers to any area in particular, and the fuel position does not warrant the spreading of these facilities.
Has the Minister given any consideration to the steps that it will be necessary to take to provide increased fuel for the Clonmel area as a result of these 80 persons not being able to produce turf this year in the same way as they did last year?
If there is any decline in the private production of turf in Clonmel area by reason of the withdrawal of facilities, steps will be taken to ensure that there will be an ample supply from the national reserve.
Surely the Minister appreciates that there has been a big decrease in the production of turf this year and that not only will that affect the situation generally, but that in Clonmel it will involve a particular hardship for a considerable number of poorer families in the area who were able to produce their own turf last year?
I cannot say that I have personal knowledge of what the situation in Clonmel is but I know that in Dublin area, where the journey that private turf producers have to cover is much longer, there has been no evidence of any curtailment in activity. On the contrary, the demand for facilities in the way of turf banks is greater than ever.