asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that some new houses in County Donegal are awaiting connection by the ESB for an unduly long period; and if he will state the reason for the delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Electricity Supply.
22.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that there is a number of factors which could affect the connection of new houses in County Donegal but that in the absence of more precise information it is not possible to identify the houses to which the Deputy refers. If the Deputy would give the necessary details I will have further inquiries made in the matter.
Is the Minister aware of any hold-up by the ESB forced upon them allegedly by the trade unions who insist that no connections be supplied to any new customers or extensions to existing customers unless the work has been satisfactorily done and not only satisfactorily done but done in all cases by trade union labour?
The Deputy is introducing new matter.
No. A Cheann Comhairle, I tried in several ways to get this question raised in this House. It is most important and I believe this is the question that covers the matter because there are many houses in my county that are not connected.
I do not see anything appertaining to trade union labour in the question tabled by the Deputy.
Should I mention the fact that the Ceann Comhairle has already disallowed a question which did refer to it specifically and this is, in fact, my only way of getting this question answered?
It was disallowed because it was not in order.
May I answer, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle? This was the case up to about a month ago and at that stage the ESB and the trade union came to an agreement that any houses that were of a certain standard, no matter by whom the wiring was installed, would be connected by the ESB. Since then individual members of the union have refused to accede to the request so the position is as it was a month ago. There are, however, talks going on and it is hoped the matter will be resolved very shortly.
Arising further from the Minister's reply, the situation I mention did not obtain.
That is correct. I am hopeful the matter will be settled this week.
May I take it that these connections that have been outstanding will be proceeded with in the interim?
Provided the work is satisfactorily done. The union instructed their members to do the work but individual members have not acceded to this request. It is, however, hoped that this week the matter will be resolved and, after agreement has been reached, all the connections will be made as soon as possible.
May I further ask the Minister if he will insist on the wiring being properly done?
Yes.
That is No. 1, which has not been the case for some considerable time, and, No. 2 who does it is not the important thing from the ESB point of view but how it is done.
I do not accept the first part of the Deputy's supplementary.
Thirty years ago——
If the Deputy asks a supplementary question he might as well let me answer it.
I am afraid we cannot prolong this further. We are entering into argument. I am calling Question No. 23. We must move on.
The ESB will not connect unless they are satisfied with the quality of the work.
Is it not a fact that in comparatively recent years the ESB have not been anything like as diligent in their inspection of new connections as they were 30 years ago?
Order. The Chair has called Question No. 23.
In reply to the Deputy, I think that is most unlikely.
Question No. 23, please.