asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the grave hardship that will be inflicted on turf workers of North Mayo by the stoppage of machine production in the area; and, if so, whether he will arrange to have work started on the generating station which was planned by Bord na Móna three or four years ago, or, alternatively, prohibit the use of imported coal in Connacht except for essential industrial purposes, and thereby give employment to these out-of-the-way areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment for Mayo Turf Workers.
I am informed by Bord na Móna that the workers on the bogs in North Mayo at the date when production ceased under the special turf production scheme are being offered alternative employment on the board's permanent schemes to which hostels are attached. As I informed the Deputy in reply to a question on the 29th March, 1949, the erection of a generating station in the vicinity of these bogs presents difficulties both of a technical and economic nature owing to the distance from the centres of load. I regret that I could not see my way to prohibit the use of imported coal in Connacht.