On to-day's Order Paper I had a question tabled to the Minister for Industry and Commerce which really arose out of a matter which was raised here a fortnight or so ago in relation to the change of policy by Bord na Móna with regard to Boora Bog in the County of Offaly. It is important to realise the seriousness of this matter in so far as it applies to the County of Offaly. When the Turf Development Act, 1950, was passed, power was given by Section 5 of that Act to Bord na Móna to engage in housing schemes for its employees. That power was one which was needed by the board if it was to proceed along the sound lines of developing bogs with a resident labour potential available for the development of any particular bog, and it was under that power that Bord na Móna announced a very large-scale plan and programme for the development of Boora Bog.
That programme which was announced some 12 months ago or so was based on the support and co-operation of the Offaly County Council and it meant—I have not got the exact figures—that some 300 or 400 houses were to be built by Bord na Móna and the Offaly County Council, working in co-operation, at Kilcormac, Cloghan and Ferbane, and indeed the members of the Offaly County Council hailed the scheme as being of prime importance in the housing policy of the county. The provision of 300 or 400 houses in a county like Offaly, which is sparsely populated in areas, means a completely new venture for the council, and many people felt 12 months ago that Bord na Móna in its housing drive in the county was going to establish what had been painted from time to time by the Minister and other speakers for the people of the county, a rural village growing up around an important industrial scheme such as the development of Boora bog.
The House is aware that suddenly, some three or four weeks ago, Bord na Móna altered its scheme of development in relation to Boora bog and changed over from sod production of turf to the milled peat process. When that change was discussed in the Dáil, the Minister gave no indication that the change was anything more than a different development of the bog with no other consequence. In my question to-day, I asked whether this change of policy would alter the housing plans already announced by Bord na Móna in relation to the Ferbane area. The Minister replied to the effect that the change to the production of milled peat at Boora meant that it would only be necessary to proceed immediately with the erection of 100 houses at Kilcormac and 50 at Cloghan and he added: "The position will be reviewed later when the bog goes into full production."
That is an answer which, I suppose, makes it possible for the Minister to say that it does not mean that the balance of the houses will not be erected at some time in the future, but, from the point of view of hard facts, it does disclose that the housing scheme announced 12 months ago will not now be proceeded with and that there is going to be a considerable reduction in the number of houses to be built by Bord na Móna. Further, it seems perfectly clear that so far as the present development of Boora bog is concerned, there is going to be a considerable reduction in the personnel employed because the number of houses to be provided is to be reduced.
The matter is of grave importance to the county and I should like to repeat the complaint I have already made that decisions of this kind should not be arrived at without consultation with local interests affected. For the past 12 months, the entire housing policy of the Offaly County Council has been based on the housing plans of Bord na Móna and if the county council had been aware 12 months ago that the board would not carry out the housing plans which it had announced, more houses would, undoubtedly, have been built or would be in course of construction by the Offaly County Council in this area.
The entire business has been a very sorry one. It shows that suddenly an important State service such as Bord na Móna can have its decisions and policies altered to the detriment of a very large section of people and I should like an assurance from the Minister that the possible review which he referred to in his reply will be carried out as soon as possible. I should like an assurance from him also that as soon as possible the building of the balance of the houses will be proceeded with and that in the Ferbane area the board will exercise to the fullest extent its statutory powers under the Act of 1950.