andMr. Ryan asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if he will review the policy of Bord na Móna in relation to sale of turf briquettes, so that fuel merchants who have commenced operations since May 1976 receive an allocation.
Written Answers. - Turf Briquette Sales.
967.
The growth in demand for briquettes has been such that for some time the production capacity of Board na Móna's three briquette factories, estimated at 441,000 tonnes for this year, has been insufficient to cope with the demand. Because of this Bord na Móna had to introduce a rationing scheme whereby their customers are limited to quantities related to the amounts they purchased within the last year of unrestricted sales, viz. the year ended October 1976.
I understand that the board are not in a position to take on new customers since, to do so, would mean a further reduction in the already insufficient allocation to existing customers. I recognise that this is not a satisfactory situation for new entrants to the fuel trade but one can understand the board's concern to maintain supplies for their long standing customers. Given the substantial demand for a product in limited supply it is difficult to see what, in the short-term at least, could be done to satisfy all interested parties.
The board's current development programme does, however, provide for additional briquette production to improve the supply situation in the future. In the meantime, until the position improves, the present system of allocation appears to be the most equitable form of distribution which can be devised.