asked the Minister for Transport and Power if the proposal to build a briquette factory at Shannonbridge, County Offaly, is still under consideration; and if it will be possible for Bord na Móna to reach an early decision in regard to this proposal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannonbridge (Offaly) Briquette Factory.
86.
Apart from an extension of the productive capacity of the Lullymore Briquette Factory by 20,000 tons per annum which is expected to be operational for the 1973-74 heating season, no further increased briquette production has been decided on. Present indications are that production will be sufficient to meet demand in the foreseeable future.
May I take it from the Minister's reply that the Government have abandoned the idea of the erection of the proposed new briquette factory at Shannonbridge?
No. I am very glad the Deputy asked the supplementary. In fact, if there is not the extension of the briquette market to justify the erection of a briquette factory we can by investing capital provide a further power station which can give more employment than the briquette factory. It is in this area we are now investigating the matter. I feel this is a far more fruitful area, the provision in addition to the one we are commissioning before 1976, of a third station in this very area because of the tremendous demand for it.
Is the Minister aware that at the moment briquettes are rationed and will be for the remainder of the winter despite the fact that there is considerable demand for them from fuel merchants and others who cannot obtain supplies? In view of this does he not consider that there is a genuine case for proceeding with the proposed briquette factory at Shannonbridge? In reply to a parliamentary question on the 27th October, 1965, I was informed that the proposal for a briquette factory at Shannonbridge——
Quotations are not in order at Question Time.
If it will help Deputy Flanagan I want to say that last year the Minister assured me I was wrong when I suggested that he was trying to forget it.
Does the Minister recall giving the reply on the 27th October, 1965, that Bord na Móna were then studying the economics of the project? May I take it that Bord na Móna have at last reached a decision? When can the Minister hope to give us some assurance?
First of all, the first power station has started at Shannonbridge with the consequent employment, of which the Deputy is aware, in his constituency and in my constituency. The second power station——
We are not on power stations. We are on briquette factories.
I am on employment and workers.
This is Question Time.
The Minister is rather confused and I want to try to unravel him out of his confusion.
We cannot enlarge on this at Question Time.
This question relates to briquette factories. There are questions later on in relation to the extension of the power stations. In relation to the briquette factory, which is within the parish of Clonmacnoise and Shannonbridge, would the Minister agree that it is very desirable to erect a briquette factory in this area?
I will answer that. My interest is in having extra people at work in the Deputy's constituency and in my constituency. As far as south Roscommon, east Galway and west Offaly are concerned their interest in employment will be better secured by a third power station rather than the briquette factory mentioned by the Deputy. The Deputy can be assured I have fully investigated this matter.
The Minister might worry about coming into this House with replies like that.
It happens to be the truth. I am telling Deputy Flanagan the truth.
Would the Minister volunteer to give us more information?
I certainly will. I will write to the Deputy setting out in fuller detail what I have said to him. The Deputy can be assured that what I have said is fact, that their interests would be better served by an additional power station rather than a briquette factory.
Then, we are going to have an additional power station?
That is another matter.