asked the Minister for Transport and Power the incentives he proposes to offer to individuals or private concerns that engage in the production of turf.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Turf Production.
23.
As indicated in my reply of 19th February, 1975, to previous parliamentary questions on this subject, it is Government policy to encourage the use of native fuels. Effect has been given to this policy through the use of turf and Irish coal for the generation of electricity and by ensuring that State, semi-State and local authorities give a preference to native fuels for space and water heating and other heat loads normally associated with buildings under their control.
I also explained in my reply of 19th February the forms of assistance available from my Department, the Department of Local Government and Roinn na Gaeltachta for the improvement of bog roads. The fourfold increase in oil prices should provide an adequate incentive for increased production of turf, and the provision of special assistance or incentives in present circumstances should be quite unnecessary.
Have Roinn na Gaeltachta availed of any of the grants to which the Minister referred?
I did not say there were grants from my Department to Roinn na Gaeltachta. I said that Roinn na Gaeltachta have grants which they make available.
Does the Minister appreciate that this year the estimates for roads in Roinn na Gaeltachta constitute a reduction on the provision made in respect of last year?
That is a matter for another Minister.
The Minister indicated that Roinn na Gaeltachta are helping in the present emergency. I am drawing his attention to the fact that he is ill-informed. This year, Roinn na Gaeltachta provided less money for road development than last year——
Matters appertaining to Roinn na Gaeltachta would be appropriate to the Minister concerned.
Is the Minister aware that the only grants available from the Department of Local Government for bog roads are the LIS grants? Would the Minister ask the Minister for Local Government to increase the grants for bog roads which need attention? The amount available would not help to increase the use of the roads by those wishing to cut turf. More money should also be provided for drainage.
I am surprised at Deputy Callanan's question. I understand that the Galway County Council for the last three years have not taken up the money made available to them under these grants.
That annoys me. That allegation was used during the Galway by-election. The reason given was that we had a Fianna Fáil council. This was said from the platform. I do not want to raise it at Question Time but I want the Minister to realise that during that time there was an engineers' work to rule. We could spend thousands more if we got it.
We cannot debate this matter here. Question No. 24.
It was not the fault of the Galway County Council.
Is the Minister aware that the amount of money provided to Galway County Council for local improvement schemes is roughly half that provided in 1972-73?
That is a separate matter.
Is the Minister concerned about the thousands of tons of turf still inside the bogs because the owners were unable to take the turf out because of deterioration in the roads? Many of these bogs have not been used for a number of years. Because of the increase in fuel prices, people want to cut more turf but cannot get into the bogs in the wintertime. I ask the Minister to appeal to his colleague, the Minister for Local Government, to restore the amount of money for local improvements schemes to the 1973 level.
This is a very long question.
Galway County Council cannot undertake——
The Deputy may not make a speech at Question Time.
Would the Minister reexamine the whole question of turf-cutting and the availability of roads to take out that turf during the winter months? His answers to date have been most unsatisfactory. Thousands of tons——
I must ask the Deputy to resume his seat. He is abusing the privilege of Question Time.
The Deputy is looking for information about the local improvement grants from the Department of Local Government. He should have asked the Minister for Local Government that question.
A Cheann Comhairle——
The Deputy is introducing extraneous matters.
I wish to give notice of my dissatisfaction with the Minister's reply and I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy in the matter.