asked the Minister for Energy if he is reviewing or considering reviewing the price of Bord na Móna's milled peat and sod peat; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Peat.
4.
The ESB and Bord na Móna have recently agreed to enter into a contract covering three years from 1 April 1986. This mutually agreed contract includes price and quantity details.
Would the Minister confirm to the House that the price of milled peat in relation to import costs for electricity production by the ESB is competitive with all other fuels? The Minister will agree that there has been a mistaken view around for quite some time that the cost of milled peat supplied to the ESB by Bord na Móna is excessive and, consequently, constitutes one of the factors involved in the high cost of electricity? Will the Minister confirm that milled peat is competitive as an input fuel in the production unit cost of electricity?
The Deputy is aware of my concern to ensure that milled peat levels consumed by the ESB would be maintained at a high level. I am satisfied that it is in our interest, on a commercial and social basis, that this should continue to be so. I believe that the arrangements I announced in this House some two years ago in relation to the continuity of the turf burning stations, was in the best interests of this country.
The Minister will be aware of the various accusations to which I referred in relation to the price of milled peat——
We are not going to have another debate. It is a very short question.
Would the Minister confirm that that is the true situation?
I am satisfied with the make-up of the ingredients used by the ESB at present, ranging from hydro to oil, to turf, to coal and gas. I believe that that package as at present mixed is in our best interests.
Would the Minister justify to the House the reasons for Bord na Móna's capital investment in acquiring bog which they are not then going ahead and developing?
That is a separate question.
Surely the end product is very important?
Does the Deputy know where the questions office is located?
I have an idea but it is very difficult to get any answers.