asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the current and probable future restrictions on coal deliveries from Britain and the rising cost of coal, he will reconsider his decision to authorise the Electricity Supply Board to erect a coal-burning generating station at Ringsend to be completed in 1953.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electric Generating Stations.
I am not prepared to reconsider the decision to authorise the Electricity Supply Board to erect a coal or oil-burning station at Ringsend, Dublin.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say if the desirability of proceeding with this coal-burning station in Dublin has been reconsidered in the light of the coal situation?
The position about this station is that already £450,000 has been spent on civil construction work in connection with the proposed station and commitments to the sum of approximately £2,000,000 have been entered into for plant and boilers; the boiler plant cost about £1,000,000, and is only suitable for coal or oil.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary realise that it was a mistake to invest £1,000,000 in plant which would only be suitable for coal or oil?
That is a separate question.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the dates for the commissioning of the following electricity generating stations, viz., Cathaleen Falls, Erne No. 1 set (winter, 1951); Cathaleen Falls, Erne No. 2 set (spring, 1952); Allenwood Nos. 1 and 2 sets (spring, 1952), and River Lee (summer, 1954), which he announced to Dáil Éireann on 10th March, 1949, are still the likely dates for completion in each case.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that the present estimated commissioning dates for the stations to which the Deputy refers are as follows:
ERNE HYDRO-ELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT, CO. DONEGAL:
|
Cathaleen Falls (No. 1 Set) |
winter, 1951. |
|
Cathaleen Falls (No. 2 Set) |
summer, 1952. |
ALLENWOOD TURF BURNING STATION, CO. KILDARE:
|
(No. 1 Set) |
autumn, 1951. |
|
(No. 2 Set) |
summer, 1952. |
The present indications are that the River Lee stations will not be available for service before 1956.
The remainder of the questions will appear on to-morrow's Order Paper.