asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what steps the Electricity Supply Board proposes to take to connect the Lahardane, Ballina, area with electric current and when this work is likely to be carried out.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Mayo Rural Electrification.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is in a position to state when it is proposed to extend the rural electrification scheme to Lahardane, County Mayo.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that a canvass by a local committee of the Lahardane area was carried out at the end of the year 1948. The results of this canvass were disappointing, and on this account and because the area was some distance from the nearest point of supply, its prospects of being selected for development were considered to be remote. I am further informed that it was suggested to the local committee in January, 1949, that the canvass might be extended to the north so as to bring the area nearer the existing point of supply. The board states that no communication has since been received from the committee and that, in the circumstances, a canvass of the area by the board's officers has been deferred.