asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that private turf cutters in the Killarney area, 42 miles from Cork, who had considerable quantities of turf cut and saved last spring, were unable to procure transport for this turf, as priority was given to the movement of county council turf which was drawn from West Kerry, a distance, in some cases, of 100 miles from Cork City; that, as a consequence, the turf cut by private individuals for sale was lying on the roadside until November, by which time the bulk of it had been destroyed by exposure to weather conditions; and if he will take timely steps to provide transport this year to avoid a recurrence of such losses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport of Turf.
I am aware that in East Kerry, as in every other large turf producing area, there are serious transport difficulties at certain times of the year. The statements made in the question are, however, highly exaggerated. It is certainly not the case that saved turf was lying on the roadside in the Killarney area for lack of transport from early last year until November. This year, as in previous years, all available transport will be utilised to the best general advantage and the increased number of lorries on the road should ease matters considerably. A limited system of priorities is, however, essential to ensure that the requirements of domestic consumers in the non-turf areas are adequately met. Producers have two markets open to them, (a) Fuel Importers, Limited, which buys turf for sale on a rationed basis in non-turf areas, or (b) industrial firms, or fuel merchants and private persons in the turf area. If they choose the first they get priority transport and a fixed price. If they choose the second they get a higher price but have to rely on whatever additional transport may be available. East Kerry producers have opted mainly for private sales, while other Kerry areas deal mainly with Fuel Importers, Limited.
Is the Minister aware that the agents of Fuel Importers, Limited, have made special arrangements for purchasing turf in the area referred to in the question, that they have a mobile weigh-bridge near the bog, that anybody who has dry turf for sale can have it weighed and despatched immediately and that they are paid for it within a week? Therefore, the question of lack of transport of turf in the area mentioned does not arise because I am in touch——
The Deputy is now replying to a question instead of asking a question.
Coming events cast their shadow before.