asked the Minister for Energy if he will encourage Bord na Móna to make an application for grant-aid of up to 70 per cent which is available from the EC to carry out a study of the possible future usage of Ireland's cutaway bogland; and the reason it has not been done up to now.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cut-away Bogland.
4.
From information received earlier on this subject, it is not at all clear that aid of the kind referred to in the question would be available. Further inquiries are, however, being made. The study of the future use of cutaway bogland is of course, being carried out anyway.
My information is that this money is available and should be applied for. The Minister does not seem to have pursued this matter and I would be very grateful if he would do so now, at the highest level, because there is some doubt regarding the future of the cutaway bogs. There are thousands of acres involved. The people are anxious to know what the future holds for them. This is very important expecially for the people in the bog areas.
I appreciate the Deputy's interest. Since the question was put down officials of my Department have had discussions with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Finance. The Deputy said he has information available to him. If he has I ask him to make it available to my Department.
Members of the European Parliament have informed me that it is available and I would like the Minister to take this up with the Commission.
Let us not play games. If Mr. Lawlor has any information, please pass it on.
I am not playing games. This is too serious a matter. I did not intend my remarks to be derogatory, but I count the Minister's reply as a smart answer.
You may not be playing games but you are making speeches.
We will cool matters and get back to the question. Would the Minister be so kind as to take this matter up at the highest level possible? I am told by our members in the European Parliament that if an application were made it would be favourably considered and money would be available. If I can get the Minister to do that I shall be very grateful.
As Deputy Connolly always said when answering Parliamentary Questions: "I am trying to help you". If the Deputy will give me a short written submission on the information he has, I will gladly run to Europe with it tomorrow morning.