asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether Bord na Móna contemplate ceasing to sell turf to private individuals at their Garryhinch bog, County Laois this season because of a need created by additional generating capacity at Portarlington Power-station; whether an additional 40,000 tons will also need to be brought from the Timahoe/Ballydermot group of bogs, County Kildare, to Portarlington, and, if so, whether a further 20,000 tons could be brought from these bogs so that a similar amount might be left at Garryhinch to meet the demand for private supplies; and whether he is aware that by not reserving this 20,000 tons at Garryhinch for private sale Bord na Móna are conveying the impression that they are no longer interested in the sale of machine-won turf for domestic use.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord na Móna Turf Sales to Private Persons.
This matter is one entirely for determination by Bord na Móna under the statutory powers vested in them. I am informed, however, by Bord na Móna that consequent on the decision to extend the generating capacity of Portarlington power station they will require for the station for the next two years all the turf in stock and produced in the Clonsast-Garryhinch bogs and will cease to sell turf to private individuals at their Garryhinch works as from the beginning of August next.
When the Timahoe/Ballydermot bogs have been connected by a rail link with the Portarlington station about the end of 1964, additional supplies of turf of around 40,000 tons per annum will be transferred from these bogs to the station. The Board state that at that time it may be possible, if no fresh considerations arise, to haul further quantities of turf by the railway from Timahoe/Ballydermot to Portarlington so as to leave turf produced at Garryhinch works available for sale to private consumers.
As regards the last part of the question, Bord na Móna have informed me that machine turf for domestic use is extensively advertised in provincial newspapers and there should be no misapprehension as to the Board's continued interest in selling machine turf for domestic use.
Would the Minister say whether or not he requested this information from Bord na Móna when he received the question from Deputy Lalor?
I got the information from Bord na Móna, yes, in the usual way.
When the question was put down, the Minister made the approach to Bord na Móna for this information?
In the usual way.
Arising out of the Deputy's question? I am only asking the Minister a simple question.
I have answered that. I said I was informed by Bord na Móna.
But the Minister made the specific request for information to Bord na Móna? It did not come in the ordinary reports to the Minister?
No.
It was very decent of the Minister to ask them for it.