asked the Minister for Energy if he noted the comment in the report "Community Aid for Solid Fuel Production" as produced by the Joint Committee on Secondary Legislation of the European Communities with regard to the economics of development of small area bogs, and also the use of up-land or blanket bogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Peat Resources Development.
10.
I have noted the report in question. Efforts to procure Community aid for the development of our peat resources including small area bog and blanket bog, will be continued.
Apart from any possible EEC initiatives, the development of small and blanket bogs has always been encouraged. Since June 1981, some 25,000 acres of such bog have been developed with the assistance of the grant scheme administered by Bord na Móna on behalf of my Department.
Would the Minister not agree that the development of smaller bogs should be given a much higher priority than is evidenced in this Joint Committee document?
I agree with the Deputy that it is in our interests and certainly in the interests of the people living in rural Ireland that we give as much assistance as possible and give priority to the development of small bogs. The number of schemes at present available and the grant assistance available should be of enormous benefit to private developers in relation to bog development.
We are back again to the situation where unless you create the infrastructure so that people are able to get from the county road to the bog they cannot develop the bog. That is the area on which I would ask the Minister and his Department to place emphasis.