asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the energy crisis, he will introduce daylight saving time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Daylight Saving.
137.
I have decided against making any change in respect of the current period of winter time, which expires on St. Patrick's day, but thereafter, I shall keep the position under review in consultation with the Minister for Transport and Power.
The reason I put down this question was because of the urgings of the Minister for Transport and Power to the people of this country to save energy. Can the Minister give me a reason for not taking this obvious method of conserving energy?
While it may have the effect of saving energy, it could cause losses and complications in other areas unless a similar change in hours was to be made in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. We could have a very difficult situation in regard to timetables, et cetera.
In view of the fact that there are only 20 odd miles between England and France and the hour difference does not seem to make much difference there why are we so tied to British time?
Because there are not even 20 miles between here and Northern Ireland.