asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will initiate discussions with Bord na Móna with a view to transferring the board's head office to Tullamore, County Offaly, which, like other midland towns, is suffering from the decline in local industries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord na Móna Offices.
26.
Representations have been made to me from time to time suggesting the transfer of the head offices of Bord na Móna to different provincial centres. I have already discussed the matter with the directors of the board who have pointed out that of its average work force of about 4,600 persons over 96 per cent are employed outside Dublin and that it is essential for them to maintain Dublin offices for ready contact with shipping services, suppliers, State agencies and sales outlets.
I cannot accept the latter part of the Minister's statement because, so far as I know, the only commodity which Bord na Móna export is peat moss litter. This is a very useful export and the great bulk of the work is done in County Offaly. I cannot see any reason why the head office of Bord na Móna should not be transferred to Tullamore. All these towns in the midlands are decaying rapidly.
Thanks to Bord na Móna, West Offaly, East Galway, South Roscommon and East Roscommon are not decaying rapidly but have substantial employment ranging from 4,600 in permanent employment in valley periods to 6,000 at peak periods during the summer.
I was speaking about the towns in Offaly.
Question No. 27.