asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he will state in extension of a reply of 25th October, 1977, regarding a committee on Bord na Móna cut-away bogs consisting of representatives of his Department, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Fisheries and Bord na Móna (a) the grants paid by each of those Departments towards the purchase, development and experimentation of the cut-away bogs, (b) the investment of Bord na Móna workers in the cut-away bogs by way of deferred payments from wages, and (c) why a representative of the Bord na Móna group of unions was not invited to join the committee on cut-away bogs.
Written Answers. - Bord na Móna Operations.
392.
The answer to parts (a) and (b) of the question is "nil" in each case. As regards (c), I consider that a small committee of the kind proposed offers the best means of examining the problem of how to use and maintain cut-away bogs. There are other interests apart from the Bord na Móna group of unions, who could claim representation on the committee and who are not represented. However, the committee will consider any views which interested persons may care to submit.
393.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he will furnish particulars of the source of funds for factory buildings and machinery at Croghan Works under the following headings: (a) loans, source, rate of interest and amount; (b) European Bank loans, rate of interest and amount; (c) Excequer advance, amount and rate of interest; (d) Exchequer grants, amount; (e) funds provided by Bord na Móna; (f) EEC grants, other than EIB loans, and (g) present employment in Croghan briquette factory.
Particulars of Bord na Móna's capital structure are given in the capital account of each year's annual accounts. The annual accounts as published are in the form which complies with statutory requirements and accords with modern accounting practice. I consider that I would not be justified in requiring Bord na Móna to furnish for publication accounts additional to those in the form which received Ministerial approval.
I am informed by Bord na Móna that the present employment at Croghan briquette factory is 125.
394.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he is aware that of the £9.860 million expenditure on production expenses in the accounts of Bord na Móna for 31st March, 1974, the only sub-head of this vast expenditure is £1,323,821 for new machinery and accelerated expenditure for machinery; and the principal heads and amounts of the remaining expenditure of £8.536 million.
The annual accounts of Bord na Móna, as published, are in a form which complies with statutory requirements, accords with modern accounting practice and received Ministerial approval.
I am informed by Bord na Móna that the balance of £8.536 million expenditure referred to by the Deputy covers drainage maintenance, fuel and power, production operations including cutting and harvesting machine turf and moss peat, milling and harvesting milled peat, briquette factory and moss peat production costs, repairs to machines and equipment, and bog transport costs.
395.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if the sub-heads of expenditure in the "production expenses" and "working expenses" in page 21 of the Report of Bord na Móna 1973/74 include the sub-heads listed for Clonsast Works in the Report of the Turf Development Board Ltd., for 1944/45; and the new or additional sub-heads included in the expenses for 1973/74.
396.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if the Exchequer advance to the Turf Development Board Ltd., from which £4,827 was devoted to the purchase of boglands at Clonsast, has been repaid to the Exchequer; the date of repayment or redemption; and the rate of interest payable during the repayment period.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take questions Nos. 395 and 396 together.
The items of expenditure in the Production Expenses and Working Expenses on Page 21 of the Report of Bord na Móna for 1973/74 include such of the items listed for Clonsast Works in the Report of the Turf Development Board Ltd. for 1944/45 as are appropriate to charge expenditure incurred. Additional expense items in the 1973/74 accounts relate to (1) training expenses (2) the board's superannuation contributions and (3) housing schemes.
The annual accounts, as published, are in a form which complies with statutory requirements and accords with modern accounting practice. I consider that I would not be justified in requiring Bord na Móna to furnish for publication accounts additional to those in the form which has received Ministerial approval.