asked the Minister for Finance if he will state what steps are or have been taken to ensure that the fuel requirements of all Government Departments are met by hand-won turf.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government Departments' Fuel Supplies.
Mr. O'Higgins
Hand-won turf is the fuel in general use for open fires in Government offices in Dublin and throughout the country. Where available, it is the main fuel consumed in central heating plants in provincial centres.
Mr. O'Higgins
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state what steps he will take to ensure that that good practice will be continued in the coming financial year?
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that many Government offices here in Dublin burn coal instead of turf—British coal—and does he consider that this is a good example to be set by the State in connection with the national fuel drive?
There are certain offices and Departments where it would not be possible to use turf in the central heating system, for instance, Leinster House.
I am not concerned with the central heating system. I am talking about offices used by various Ministers, and so forth, where coal is being burned. Will the Parliamentary Secretary indicate that turf will be used in future in those offices in lieu of British coal, whether it be hand-won turf or Bord na Móna turf?
Deputies were not so concerned with this matter during the three years they were governing the country.
Mr. O'Higgins
That is not a proper answer. It is not true; turf was burned the whole time.
It went up the spout.