asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state his reasons for making Cork City a turf area and the towns of Cobh, Midleton and Youghal non-turf areas, having regard to the relative distance of these towns from nearest turf bogs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Turf and Non-Turf Areas.
The Deputy's question reverses the actual position. Cork City is in the non-turf area; the County of Cork generally, including the towns of Cobh, Midleton and Youghal, is in the scheduled turf area. Cork City is excluded from the turf area because the size of its population puts the problem of providing fuel supplies beyond the capacity of private enterprise. This consideration does not apply to Cobh, Midleton or Youghal. The distances of these places from the nearest bogs is not a relevant factor in the matter.
The Minister is, of course, aware that Cobh is 15 miles further than Cork City from the bog.
The Deputy should realise that that has nothing to do with it. So far as Cobh is concerned, there is no reason why the fuel merchants of Cobh should not be able to organise a sufficient supply of turf to meet the requirements of the people of Cobh. In so far as they have encountered any special difficulties, I have undertaken to assist them in meeting them.
They are holding out until you give them 7/6. They have got 5/- so far.