asked the Minister for Energy if, in view of the need to increase native resources of energy, he will take all possible steps to increase the production of turf.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Turf Production .
20.
: I have already emphasised on a number of occasions the importance of optimum development of our turf resources as part of a broader policy to reduce our dependence on oil and other imported fuels.
Considerable progress has been made in development operations under Bord na Móna's Third Development Programme and production has actually commenced at some bogs. I gave a detailed account of this programme earlier this year in the debates on a Bill to enable Bord na Móna to raise the funds needed for this development. Full production is expected to be achieved in 1985. At that time the programme will be providing 2.75 million tonnes of milled peat, some of which will go to increased briquette production, 52,000 tonnes of sod peat and 650,000 cubic metres of moss peat in addition to existing production.
The board are also investigating, surveying and assessing the potential for development of other bog areas which are not included in their present programmes. As a result of this investigation, it is likely that further proposals will be made for an expansion beyond the activities covered by the third programme.
While large-scale commercial development of bogs by Bord na Móna must continue to be the cornerstone of policy on the optimum utilisation of our turf resources, I am satisfied that measures to increase turf production by private interests are also necessary. With this in mind I hope to introduce a short Bill during this Dáil session to promote private bog development. I envisage that Bord na Móna will act as an agency through which financial assistance can be provided for projects which conform with certain criteria. The considerable experience of the board will also enable them to perform an advisory role and, perhaps, to become directly involved in activities ancillary to such projects, for instance, in relation to drainage and access roads.
: I thank the Minister for his extensive reply. Would the Minister consider, in conjunction with whatever other Minister is involved, a very small input of finance on the improvement of access roads to bogs which would enable individual members of the public to make their own contribution, not only to their own home fires but to the saving of energy generally? The roads have been allowed to deteriorate and have not been maintained as they should have been during the past few years. Their improvement now would bring a fast return in addition to what has been achieved on a wider commercial scale by Bord na Móna.
: I agree that there could be a considerable improvement in regard to the production of turf if access roads were improved. The Deputy will be aware that local authorities are empowered if they wish to provide funds for this purpose, but in almost all cases they do not do so.
: How could they provide such funds?
: They choose different priorities.
: Like survival.
: Therefore they are expecting another source of finance for this purpose. This matter is being looked at by the Minister for the Environment in conjunction with the Minister for Energy.
: Would the Minister explain how local authorities who have not the money to repair main roads could get the money to repair bog roads? I believe that efforts should be made to get fuel from the bogs but I would like to know where the money is to be found.
: Presumably the Deputy is making a point in regard to what he alleges to be the position at the moment. So that we will not become involved in any arguments about that, let me point out that the position last year and the year before and the year before that again was the same in regard to the non-availability of money from local authorities for bog roads.
: May I take it from the Minister's statement that if a number of people who own bog privately come together and form some kind of company or co-operative they will be able to avail of the assistance of Bord na Móna in the form of grants to develop the bog?
: Broadly speaking, that is true, although I indicated that in certain cases Bord na Móna might themselves do some of the work on access roads and drainage.
: In discussing this matter with the Minister for the Environment, who is likely to be involved in regard to roads, I would ask the Minister to endeavour to provide extra money for this purpose. Local authorities simply have not the money to spend on bog roads. Some counties have raised some money, my own county in particular, but because of other contingencies a sufficient amount cannot be found. A little help would go a long way. Would the Minister speak to the Minister responsible for the Land Commission bogs and ask if they might be made more readily available to the public than at present? Excellent bogs which might be used are not being made available.
: I am examining both of these points.
: I do not know what the Minister means by saying there was not money last year or the year before for roads.
: I did not say that. I said it was not given by the local authorities.
: We know there was no money last year or the year before for bog roads and the main roads were also deteriorating. This year there is no money at all. Will the Minister explain where the money is to be found which is needed now? If the bogs are to be used next spring the work must be done this winter. The Minister for Finance should be approached because he can say whether or not money will be available, not the Minister for the Environment who spends only what he gets and that will not be much.
: I have already explained the position here and Deputy Tully might like to think about the points I have made.