asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that turf which was considered unsuitable for use at the end of 1947 is still stored at Cork Park and whether he will now take steps to have it removed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Turf Dumps.
Fuel Importers (Éire), Limited, hold a considerable stock of turf on lands formerly known as "Cork Park". I am advised that all of it is not unsuitable for use and there is some prospect that, before the winter is over, Fuel Importers, Limited, will be able to dispose of it.
Is the Minister not aware that a considerable quantity of it—at least four ricks of this turf—was condemned?
Of this "stuff"?
It was condemned during the war and it is still there.
This was considered unsuitable by his Department and by the merchants in Cork, who refused to take it. Everyone is aware—I am not taking much notice of the sneers of the Minister for Finance—of the abnormal conditions under which turf was produced in 1947. This turf is still there —the stuff that was considered unsuitable in 1947—and the Minister should be aware that a heavy rental is being paid for the use of Cork Park to keep it there, where it will deteriorate still further.
There is another mess!
Question No. 47.
Surely the Deputy does not say that Fuel Importers Limited should not try to salvage as much of it as they can?
Might I point out to the Minister that no attempt has been made to salvage it for the last two years?
That is not so.
That is so. I am living right opposite the site and I know, and Deputy Sheehan can bear me out in that.
The Deputy is certainly helping towards its disposal.
Question No. 47.
May I say it is unfair to Fuel Importers Limited to say that no effort has been made to dispose of this turf? Every effort was made.
No effort was made to dispose of the condemned turf, for which a heavy rent is being paid. This stuff was rejected by Fuel Importers Limited in 1947.
Question No. 47.
Then does the Deputy want me to pay £4 a ton for taking it out of that?
Leave it there—and keep on paying the rent!
The taxpayer is paying over £5,000,000 to liquidate it all.
And for devaluation.
Question No. 47.