asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the Dublin fuel merchants have reduced supplies to fuel distributors in County Dublin by from 50 per cent. to 75 per cent., and if, as it is impossible to distribute such a small allocation, he will take the matter up with the Dublin merchants with a view to securing an increased allotment of fuel for these distributors.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fuel Position.
The quantity of turf that can be made available to fuel distributors at the present time is severely limited. Supplies are being released to all licensed fuel merchants on the basis of their drawings in the corresponding ration period of last year. This restriction was imposed in order to secure distribution on the fairest general basis and it should be viewed in the light of the fact that the authorised domestic ration at present is only one-half of last year's ration. So far as I am aware the Dublin merchants are distributing their supplies on the approved basis, but inquiries will be made in regard to any specific cases of failure on their part to do so which may be brought to the attention of my Department.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that there have been no turf supplies in Clondalkin during the past week; if he will investigate the matter immediately with a view to providing adequate supplies; and further, if he is aware that each day loads of logs leave Clondalkin for Dublin fuel merchants and distributors, and if he is prepared to take action to ensure that local needs are first satisfied.
There are six fuel merchants in Clondalkin area and their turf allocations, supplemented by firewood, should be adequate for the requirements of the area, but owing to weather conditions exceptional distribution difficulties have been experienced recently. I am informed that some firewood has been brought to Dublin from Clondalkin, but there is a free market in firewood, subject only to price control, and the local fuel merchants should make arrangements to obtain supplies in the interests of their customers.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if representations have been made to him regarding the serious fuel position of the residents of Cape Clear Island, Sherkin Island, Hare Island, Long Island, Horse Island, Bere Island, Whiddy Island and other smaller islands off the West Cork coast, and if so, what steps he proposes to take to relieve the present position of these island dwellers.
Representations have been made to me in regard to the fuel position on certain of the islands mentioned by the Deputy. All these islands now obtain their turf supplies from mainland towns such as Skibbereen, Baltimore, Castletownbere and Bantry. I am advised that as the result of arrangements made by my Department the mainland merchants have to date been able to meet the islanders' demands and it is expected that they will continue to be able to do so.
I am informed that there is no turf either in Skibbereen or in Baltimore. Will the Minister make inquiries again?
I have made inquiries quite recently.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is prepared to give authority to Bord na Móna to fell trees which are fit only for firewood, and to cut such trees into logs to augment fuel supplies to bellmen and fuel distributors in the City and County of Dublin.
Bord na Móna is a turf-producing organisation and is not concerned with the provision of firewood. The responsibility of providing firewood rests on fuel merchants. I am satisfied that the task of increasing supplies of firewood can be better performed by fuel merchants than by any centralised organisation.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that no fuel supplies are available for the poor of Kilkenny City at present, and if he will indicate what steps he proposes to take to ensure a regular supply of fuel to the City of Kilkenny.
It is not true that no fuel supplies are available for the people of Kilkenny City. Kilkenny's turf supplies are safe for some weeks ahead and the quality of the turf supplied to merchants there is on average somewhat better than elsewhere in the non-turf area.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that no fuel is available for the poor of Thomastown; and if he will take steps to make available a supply of timber fuel from Grennan Wood, Thomastown.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that 500 tons of timber were removed recently from Grennan Wood, Thomastown, to Dungarvan, County Waterford; and if he will indicate why some or all of that timber was not made available for local consumption.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. I have been unable to get up-to-date information as to the turf position in Thomastown, owing to a breakdown of telephone communication. Inquiry is being made into the position there. I am aware that a quantity of timber has been removed from Grennan Wood to Dungarvan during the past 12 months but I understand that substantial quantities are still available there for local sale.
Is the Minister aware that the wood was closed?
No. I am informed by the Forestry Department that there are 500 tons of wood available for sale.
In Grennan Wood? When did that become available?
It is available now.
It has not been available for very long.
It has been.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that following six years' service in the Defence Forces during the emergency, Kevin A. Keatinge, 5A Marks Alley (off Francis Street), Dublin, was granted a licence to trade in turf (Number 9432); that this licence has now been withdrawn or otherwise made inoperative; that he is, therefore, unable to obtain turf for sale, with consequent severe hardship to his large family, and to those who previously bought turf from him; if he will state the reason for this, and whether steps will be taken forthwith to see that Mr. Keatinge gets his turf supply for sale.
I am aware that Mr. Kevin A. Keatinge, 5a Marks Alley, Dublin, was granted a fuel merchant's licence in November, 1946. This licence has not been withdrawn or otherwise made inoperative. No representations were made to my Department at any time by Mr. Keatinge that he had been unable to obtain supplies. I understand that there was a temporary stoppage of supplies by Mr. Keatinge's wholesale merchants owing to a misunderstanding, but that the matter has now been set right and supplies resumed on the basis appropriate to the circumstances of the case.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that blacksmiths of West Cork are unable to procure suitable coal to carry on their work of shoeing horses and repairing essential parts of swing ploughs which are in general use in West Cork; that the inability of the blacksmiths to procure suitable coal seriously interferes with tillage operations and food production; and if, in view of the seriousness of this matter, he will take all possible steps immediately to have the blacksmiths supplied with suitable coal.
The quality of coal available to blacksmiths in West Cork is similar to that in use in forges in other parts of the country. As I stated on the 25th instant in reply to a question on the same subject, special smith's coal is unobtainable and blacksmiths must adapt themselves to the use of the quality of coal available.
If it is true that we are expecting a consignment of coal in the near future, if any portion of that is suitable, or fairly suitable, for blacksmiths' purposes, would the Minister consider allotting a small portion of it for those purposes, particularly in the spring?
They will get their share of whatever suitable coal is available.
Thank you.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will consider making available a small ration of coal to domestic consumers in County Kilkenny where neither timber fuel nor turf is available.
I regret that it is not at present possible to make a ration of coal available for domestic purposes in any area.
Is the Minister aware that there is a considerable quantity of duff and breakage available at Castlecomer at the moment which might be made available as a ration in those areas where the people have no timber or turf? At the last meeting of the Kilkenny County Council, I understand, it was stated by a miners' representative on the county council that there was a considerable quantity of duff and breakage available which might be so used.
What the Deputy refers to as Castlecomer duff is as good quality coal as any that is available.
But could not that be made available for domestic consumption?
No. It is all required for essential purposes.
For industrial purposes only?
Yes.