asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (1) whether the turf to be supplied to the turf-fired generating station at Deelish Bridge, Cahirciveen, is to be hand-won or machine-won, (2) whether delivery from the producer will be taken at the bogs or at the station, (3) by whom the cost of transport will be borne, (4) what type and quality of turf will be preferred, (5) the price per ton to be paid on delivery, (6) whether potential producers will be advised to cut supplies during the 1956 turf season, and whether due notice will be given in regard to the quantities of turf required before the 1957 crop is ready, (7) if local supplies fall short of the 30,000 tons required annually, how and where supplies are likely to be obtained to make good the shortage, (8) who will bear the responsibility of improving old bog roads and constructing new ones, where necessary, and what provision, financial and otherwise, is being, or will be, made for such development.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cahirciveen Power Station.
With regard to parts (1) to (7) of the Deputy's question I am informed by the E.S.B. that the position is as follows:—
(1) the station will use hand-won turf; (2) delivery will be taken at the station; (3) the cost of transport will be borne by the supplier; (4) good quality turf with a moisture content of approximately 30 per cent. will be preferred; (5) the price per ton to be paid on delivery has not yet been decided; (6) supplies up to 30,000 tons of turf will be required from the 1956 harvest and that of succeeding years and producers will be advised accordingly; (7) the object of the station is to provide a market for surplus hand-won turf produced in the area and in the event that local supplies should fall short of 30,000 tons it is not intended to seek supplies outside the area.
Consideration is at present being given to the matters referred to in the last part of the Deputy's question.