asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will furnish particulars of the plans for the acceleration of the programme of Bord na Móna for the production of machine turf, whether proposals for legislation will be necessary for this purpose; and, if so, when it is hoped to introduce them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord na Móna Programme.
The programme for the production of machine turf by Bord na Móna, which was announced in 1946, is to be expedited so that it will be completed in about one-half the time originally estimated. In addition it has been decided to carry out a second programme for the development of additional bogs with a view to the production of a further 1,000,000 tons of turf per annum. Legislation will be necessary to provide for extra expenditure on the 1946 programme due to increases in the cost of material and wages, for the cost of a housing scheme for the workers on the bogs at present under development, for the cost of the preparatory work on the second programme and for other minor matters. This legislation is in course of preparation and will be introduced with the least possible delay.
In view of the fact that the turf production season is now on, am I to interpret the Minister's reply as meaning that the further extension of the board's activities will not be practicable this year?
The Deputy is not to come to any such conclusion. Is the Deputy disappointed because we are going on with the scheme?
It is our scheme.
May I ask the Minister a reasonable question? Will the additional activities of the board take place this year?
I am informed by the board, and I presume they know their business in this matter, that this year they will be in a position to employ double the number which they employed last year, namely, 10,000, instead of 5,000 men. That would indicate that they seem to be able to go ahead with their work.
May I again press the Minister for a reply? It has been announced by him that the enlargement of the scheme which the board proposed in 1947 has now been approved. That enlargement might have occurred last year, but it was not proceeded with. The Government is now proceeding with it. Can it take place this year in the absence of the necessary legislation?
Legislation, as I stated in reply to the Deputy, is now necessary to cover a number of matters. That legislation is in the course of preparation and will be introduced with the least possible delay.
Is there any prospect of its being passed before the turf season is over?
Does the Deputy want us to proceed with the scheme without legislation?
I am urging the Minister to hurry up the legislation so that the work can proceed this year.
May I assure the Deputy, in order to ease his mind, that there is no desire on my part to delay it? I am urging it to the fullest possible extent and I can give the Deputy and the House an assurance that so far as I am concerned there will not be a moment's delay.