asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he proposes to take steps to guarantee to producers of hand-won turf a fair price for their turf.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hand-won Turf Producers.
Mr. O'Higgins
Mr. O'Higgins
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he proposes to take any action to assist producers of hand-won turf in selling their turf in Dublin and other large population centres.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
I refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave to similar questions on 20th February.
Mr. O'Higgins
I do not think the Minister's previous reply of the 20th February dealt with the question of price.
I expressed then the view that in view of the prevailing price of coal it was to be anticipated that a fair price could be secured for all turf of good quality produced.
Mr. O'Higgins
Will the Minister bear in mind the speeches made by him three years ago when he suggested advertising hand-won turf at the Government's expense? Would he at least put that into operation?
That is one of the functions of the publicity and marketing section of Bord na Móna to which I made reference in the reply, to which I referred the Deputy.