asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that many towns, within 20 or 25 miles from Cork City, are, at the present time, in urgent need of fuel, as they are distant from the nearest bogs, and are unable to avail of such timber fuel as is in their localities as this timber fuel is taken to Cork City where the fixed price is £3 a ton as against 50/- in the towns referred to; and if he will consider making a flat rate price for such timber so that these small towns may get an equitable share of the timber fuel available in their own areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fuel Timber Prices.
The Deputy is not correct when he states that the controlled price of firewood in the Cork City area is £3 per ton as against 50/- outside that area. The respective prices are £2 10s. per ton and £2 per ton. The differential in price between the rural areas and the city area is 10/- per ton and this is intended to cover the extra cost of transport to the city as well as extra handling and distribution charges. The fixing of a flat price for the whole of the Cork County area as the Deputy suggests would be detrimental to the interests of consumers in the city area, and it is not proposed to adopt this course.