asked the Minister for Health if sanction has been given during 1967 or 1968 to the installation in his Department or by any semi-State body for which he is responsible of heating or boiler equipment not using native fuel which would be a departure from the policy of using native fuels as outlined in Paragraph 9 of the White Paper of January, 1946, regarding the turf development programme.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Native Fuel.
97.
I presume that the Deputy's question relates to any proposals, approved by my Department in 1967 and 1968, for the installation of boiler plant designed for the use of a fuel other than turf or Irish coal.
Proposals for new oil-fired boiler installations were approved for the following hospitals:
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1967 |
Limerick Mental Hospital |
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New Coombe Hospital |
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St. Joseph's Home, Longford |
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|
St. Columbanus Home, Killarney (New Ward Block) |
|
|
St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork |
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|
(Block No. 2) |
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|
1968 |
St. Raphael's Home, Celbridge |
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Mater Hospital, Dublin. |
Will the Minister say why they installed oil-fired equipment?
The Deputy is well aware that I have in recent times taken a firm line in regard to this matter because Government policy has not changed in the matter of the use of native fuel. There was, it appears to me, a change in the attitude of Bord na Móna in regard to certain proposals as a result of their unfortunate experience a couple of seasons ago and they acceded to the request to put in oil rather than turf or coal equipment when these applications were made in 1967. Following better seasons, their attitude has hardened again. I am glad to say they were in a position to harden their attitude because I say the Government's policy and my policy has not changed. I took occasion recently to circularise all health authorities to bring this matter to their attention. In one instance, where an authority went ahead and put in oil equipment without the approval of the Department, I told them they would not qualify for any subvention from State funds.
I am glad to have the Minister's assurance. It is obvious he appreciates the point in putting down the questions. Is the Minister aware that some of his colleagues do not seem to understand that the use of oil-fired heating, with a resultant loss of employment to a large number of Bord na Móna workers, is not any economy but in effect may result in the combined cost to the State being greater than if turf had been continued to be burned?
I should add that in the circular which I caused to be issued I pointed out that it was not sufficient to consult Bord na Móna only — that it would be necessary for consultation also to take place with the Association of Private Turf Producers, because I am conscious of the points mentioned by Deputy Tully in regard to local employment in the turf industry here and there throughout the country where employment is of vital importance and is irreplaceable if turf producers go out of business.
Did the Minister say that health authorities, where they were making these changes, consulted Bord na Móna and that Bord na Móna made no objection?
No. They made a decision and went ahead without consulting my Department. In all the other cases the Department consulted Bord na Móna who agreed in all these cases. However, not being satisfied with that situation, I caused a circular to be issued to the effect that in future it is not sufficient to consult Bord na Móna — that private turf producers must also be consulted to see if they could meet the requirement. Otherwise, I will not permit non-native fuel to be used in any circumstances.