asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the plans Bord na Móna have for opening up bogs in the west where lack of roads denies access to local people who are prepared to cut their own fuel.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Access to Bogs.
20.
The provision of access roads not related to Bord na Móna's own operations is not a responsibility of the board. On the general question of provision and improvement of bog roads, I would refer the Deputy to the details which I gave in reply to a written question on 17 October 1979.
I am informed by Bord na Móna that their third development programme includes plans for development by the board of bog in the following areas in the west of Ireland:
Derryfadda—extending from Ballinasloe to Glenamaddy in Counties Galway and Roscommon. 13,000 acres already acquired and 5,000 acres planned for future acquisition.
Mountdillon—extending from Lanesboro to Rooskey in County Roscommon. 8,500 acres already acquired and 1,000 acres planned for future acquisition.
Athlone—extending from Shannonbridge to Athlone in County Roscommon. 8,000 acres already acquired and 700 acres planned for future acquisition.
Bangor Bog—County Mayo. 2,400 acres already acquired.
In addition, further areas in Counties Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo are at present being assessed by Bord na Móna for future development.
What steps are being taken or will be taken to expedite the developments indicated by the Minister or to bring them forward? I implied in the question that Bord na Móna might be able to help private producers of turf by doing what other Departments should be doing, opening up the bogs by providing access roads. Bord na Móna should be taking a new look at things.
I share the Deputy's concern that the projects outlined in Derryfada, Mountdillon, Athlone and Bangor Bog should proceed as rapidly as possible. The question of the opening up of the bogs is a matter for the Department of the Environment. Under the local improvement scheme a considerable additional sum of money was put into the Estimate for 1979. I understand that it amounted to £1 million more than for 1978. There is also a scheme run by the Department of the Gaeltacht under which grants are available of up to 100 per cent towards the cost of repairing and improving minor access roads and roads serving bogs in Gaeltacht areas. We have one scheme in our own Department but it is merely for the roads into the small turf burning electricity generating stations at Gweedore, Milltown Malbay and Cahirciveen. We do not have any funds in our Department for the projects mentioned by the Deputy which come under the Department of the Environment where an extra £1 million has been provided this year.
I want to know if Bord na Móna with the blessing of the Minister and the Department would engage in a new sphere of operations—to open the bogs to allow the public to provide turf for themselves rather than being left without as at the moment?
The provision and improvement of roads, including bog roads, is primarily the responsibility of the Department of the Environment. Rather than set up another section in another Department, it would be better to continue to operate through the Department of the Environment.
Instead of the Taoiseach advising President Carter on how to conserve energy, would he not organise a conserve energy campaign——
Order, please.
I am entitled to ask a question——
The Deputy is not entitled to ask a facetious question.
Would the Taoiseach not organise a "cut more turf" campaign——
The question does not arise out of the question on the Order Paper.
It is about fuel.
Could the Taoiseach not introduce the Local Authorities (Works) Acts which gave money to local authorities to open and make roads so that people could cut turf——
Order, please. The remaining questions will appear on the Order Paper for the next sitting day.