asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what progress has been made to date in the experimental work of using turf or turf products as fuel for railway locomotives.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Turf-Fuelled Locomotives.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is in a position to make any statement in regard to the designing and construction by C.I.E. of turf-fuelled locomotives, and if he will impress upon C.I.E. the urgency and importance of pushing ahead the development and use of such railway engines.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
I am informed by C.I.E. that their experiments have progressed to the stage that certain running trials have been made with a turf-burning locomotive.
As I indicated on 19th February during the course of the Debate on the Supplementary Estimate for C.I.E. the board are developing another idea which, if successful, will provide an engine capable of working on either oil or turf. The board are aware of my concern that this development should be pressed ahead.
Would the Minister state whether the experiments that are taking place are being carried out under a joint group of Bord na Móna experts and C.I.E. experts?
So far as I know they are being conducted by C.I.E. alone.
Would the Minister state what function Bord na Móna has in these experiments?
That is a separate question.
Would the Minister not consider that Bord na Móna advisers and experts on fuel should be called into consultation by C.I.E. in the carrying out of these experiments?
I am sure that will be done if there is any necessity for it.
There is great delay in getting finality with regard to these experiments.