asked the Minister for Transport and Power if in view of the fact that there are thousands of acres of bog in the Cornbuoy, Carratigue, Muingnabo and Rossfort area, Ballina, County Mayo, which is suitable for a briquette factory, he will have an investigation made in the near future with a view to erecting a factory.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Briquette Factory.
25.
The kind of investigation suggested by the Deputy would be a function of Bord na Móna, under the provisions of Section 17 of the Turf Development Act, 1946. I have, however, made enquiries from Bord na Móna and I am informed that the areas specified in the question have been examined by them and found unsuitable for economic development, because of problems relating to topographical conditions for which research has not so far found a practicable solution.
I should add that 380 square miles of the bog areas in North Mayo have been examined by the Board and the most suitable area is being developed for the production of milled peat for electricity generation.