asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the serious fuel situation in Balbriggan at the moment; if he will state if anything can be done to relieve this situation; if he is prepared to direct that timber felled locally shall be used primarily to meet the local demands; and further, if he is aware that the people of Balbriggan will be in a position to obtain turf supplies from County Meath provided they are granted permission to do so.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Balbriggan Fuel Supplies.
I am aware that the fuel position in Balbriggan has recently been very difficult, but everything possible has been and will continue to be done to ease matters. I have no power to direct that timber felled locally shall be used primarily to meet the local demand, and I do not consider that such action generally would be in the public interest. Neither would it be in the public interest to waive in favour of one particular locality the established regulations governing the movement of turf from the turf area to the non-turf area. In any event, whilst individuals in Balbriggan might be able to get some supplies from Meath, the over-all turf position in that county leaves no surplus for export to Balbriggan or elsewhere.