asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the position regarding the extension of the rural electrification scheme to the Kells area, near Caherciveen, and the Templenoe area, near Kenmare, County Kerry, and the cause of the delay in their selection for development.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification in Kerry.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that there has been no change in the position as indicated in my reply to a previous similar question by the Deputy on 27th June last.
The selection of areas for development under the rural electrification scheme and the determination of their order of priority are matters solely for the E.S.B. As I have no function in these matters I have no authority to intervene.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state is the percentage of acceptance in the Kells area 98 per cent. and that in Templenoe 82 per cent.?
I do not think I can give that information to the Deputy. I have not got that information.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the rural householders in the Iveragh Peninsula, including an area from Sneem to Caherciveen, and Valentia Island, are not satisfied with the manner in which the official canvass for rural electrification was carried out, and if the E.S.B. will have a more detailed canvass made in those districts in the very near future when a much higher percentage of acceptances than hitherto may be expected.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that they have not received any complaints regarding the manner in which the official canvass was carried out in these areas. In the circumstances, the board does not propose to re-canvass the areas but has indicated that any householder who was not approached and who wishes to obtain supply may have his name added to the list of acceptances by communicating with the board's district engineer at Tralee.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that I make no complaint against the manner in which the canvass was carried out, but it was carried out by young men who did not explain the position exactly and give all the necessary information to the householders? I think for the sake of the people in those areas, who were not aware of the manner in which acceptance was to be obtained——
This is not a question, of course.
I was asking the question. I said "Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware".
That will not make a question of everything which follows.
I would ask the E.S.B. to make a further canvass, if necessary, in some other manner.
The E.S.B. received no complaints such as are referred to by the Deputy.
I know that people are slow to take up a pen to send a complaint. They would not know where to write.