asked the Minister for Energy the reason for the delay in having electricity supply provided for the islanders of Inishturk Island; and the steps he will take to have service provided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inisturk Island Electricity Supply.
7.
I have been informed by the ESB that provision of electricity supply to certain offshore islands, arising from Government decisions of 1979 and 1980, has been carried out successfully with the exception of Inishturk Island, County Mayo.
The proposed supply to Inisturk, in the form of individual generators, has not been accepted by the islanders, who have indicated a preference for a central generating system. There is a very significant cost difference in the provision of these systems and accordingly the ESB have indicated to the islanders that they are prepared to make supply available only from the more economic source, individual generators. The burden of making supply available to the island is, of course, borne by other electricity consumers.
It is a matter for the islanders to decide whether supply will be accepted or not. It should be pointed out, however, that the ESB have indicated that unless a programme for supplying the island can be initiated soon, no work can be done in 1984 once the summer season has passed.
Would the Minister accept that the suggestion by the ESB to provide a generator to each householder is neither practical nor reasonable? Can he indicate why they have singled out Inishturk for this kind of treatment?
No. From the information available it seems that the offer of supply on the basis of an individual generator would be adequate to service the needs of the island. It is not a question of singling out any particular island. The same criteria are applied in relation to the application of the scheme to all the islands.
Surely the Minister would accept that it is not reasonable to ask an old person living alone on this island to look after his own generator, provide diesel oil and so on. Would he ask the ESB to reconsider the matter and provide the same service as is provided in other parts of the country? Even on the mainland there are areas where it is costly to provide electricity supply but the ESB have done so. It is not unreasonable to ask that the ESB should provide one or two generators for the whole island.
I totally agree that the Deputy is not being unreasonable. I would remind him that in July 1980 a Government decision was made in relation to the electrification of a number of islands, Clare, Inishturk, Inishboffin, Inishmore, Inishmaan, Inishere and Tory. The effect was to require the ESB to pay the capital and running costs of the electricity systems on the islands and also that supply be provided to consumers at a charge not greater than that applying on the mainland. In view of what the Deputy says I will take up the matter again with the ESB.
If what the ESB say is correct in respect of Inishturk, why was it not equally correct in respect of Inishboffin and Clare Island? Since a proper supply was provided to those two islands, why can it not be done in respect of this island where, to the best of my recollection, most of the population are centred in one place and not scattered throughout the island?
I have undertaken to take up the matter again with the ESB.