Vol. 258 No. 11
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he has made any representations to the effect that special consideration should be given to the needs and potential of turf production in the development of a common energy policy by the EEC; and, if so, if he will indicate the nature of the representations and the Community's reply.
33.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power the benefits to be derived by Ireland from membership of the European Coal and Steel Community; and if any of these benefits will be available to those engaged in the production of turf which is a fuel equivalent to coal in many respects.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 33 together. Turf is outside the scope of the European Coal and Steel Community Treaty and adherence to the Treaty has no effect on our arrangements for the use of turf. All the bogs suitable for exploitation for fuel production by the best techniques so far developed are already in production or in course of preparation for production for consumption almost entirely in Ireland. Adherence to the Treaty is not expected to affect the market. Accordingly, no representations regarding turf fuel were made in the course of the accession negotiations.
No significant trade advantage is likely to be derived by the Irish coal producers from membership of the Community. The low-grade semi-bituminous coal produced at Arigna is for the most part consumed in the generating station erected specially for the purpose. The remainder is consumed more or less locally since it will not bear long transport. Native anthracite fuels are generally in short supply in Ireland, imports normally being about as high as home production. In recent years, there have been some exports to the Continent of smaller grades of anthracite and it is possible that the lifting of restrictions on imports to the EEC may facilitate such exports.
All the household bituminous coal consumed in Ireland is imported, and membership of ECSC is not expected to interfere with this trade. The Community as a whole is at present an importer of coal.
The benefits generally of Ireland's membership of the European Communities, including the European Coal and Steel Community, are set out in the White Paper. The only Irish producer of steel products that come within the scope of the European Coal and Steel Community is Irish Steel Holdings Limited, which has already commenced a programme of expanded production. As announced in the White Paper, special arrangements have been negotiated to assist this industry through the transitional period.
Is it a fact that participation in the Coal and Steel Community will give coal a slight competitive advantage against turf in the areas in which they are in competition and that benefits will be available for coal production which will not be available for turf?
I should emphasise to the Deputy and the House that a very important aspect of the Treaty of Accession is that we are masters of our own destiny over a very large field of administration. That applies particularly in this field of energy, fuel and transportation where we shall be in charge of the situation for all practical purposes.
Is it not a fact that coal producers will be given Community funds whereas turf producers under the present policy will not be getting funds?
We can decide that for ourselves. All we are doing in regard to the Treaty of Rome and the Treaty of Accession at present is signing a trade agreement for the benefit of Ireland. We are not doing any more at this point in time.
