asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will now make representations to the E.S.B. to consider the advisability of erecting a turf-fired power station in the Castlerea area, County Roscommon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Roscommon Power Station.
I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to a question on this subject on 9th February, 1955.
In connection with that reply, might I ask the Minister has he taken into consideration the fact that the sanatorium in Castlerea has now closed down and that the amount of turf that would normally be assigned for use in the sanatorium is now lying unsold in Castlerea and Ballinlough areas? Apart from the fact that Bord na Móna produced only between 5,000 and 6,000 tons or so of turf in that area when there were three bogs going, I would like to impress on the Minister the fact that, though that was all the turf that was produced, it is quite reasonable to suggest to the Minister that the minimum that could be produced in that area is 30,000 tons per annum and that if this were carried out there is no doubt it would feed a generating station on lines similar to those operated in other countries.
I am informed by the technicians in this matter that the quantity of turf surplus to local needs is not sufficient to justify the erection of an electricity station with a minimum capacity of 20 kilowatts—that is the smallest station that could be economically erected—and that is would require a considerably greater quantity of surplus turf to justify the erection of a station. I know that the Deputy does not accept that view and I know that the Deputy has pleaded that some county council engineers believe they can get more turf in the area. When the Deputy last put down a question on this, I asked him to advance me any further information he had and said I would have the matter examined in the light of any additional information but I have not heard from him since.
I understand that was a matter discussed at our county council and that the local county council was charged with giving that information to the Minister.
It has not reached me personally. If the Deputy wants the matter examined in the light of any further information he has, I shall have it examined if he transmits the information to me.