asked the Minister for Energy the recommendations of the recent consultants' report which he received on Bord na Móna; the plans he has for acting on these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Report on Bord na Móna.
4.
I have considered the recommendations included in the consultants' report. Having examined all the details, I have concluded, however, that because of the sensitive commercial nature of much of the report, it would not be appropriate to make its contents public.
I am, of course, in discussion with Bord na Móna about the implementation of the recommendations.
When will the Dáil be party to the Minister's views on the proposed change of structures in Bord na Móna? Will he expect the Dáil to proceed with the Turf Development Bill, currently on Committee Stage, before hearing from him about his deliberations on the consultancy report?
I am anxious to proceed with the Turf Development Bill and I understand that discussions have taken place between the Whips in this regard. I was a little worried about some ideas the Deputy's party had in linking this report to the Bill and I would welcome any support in getting agreement to bring that Bill back to the House because it is necessary in the context of certain developments taking place in Bord na Móna at present.
Will the Minister accept that it is very difficult to debate the restructuring of Bord na Móna when we are not privy to his views on their restructuring, which was the subject of this report?
The Deputy is putting undue emphasis on the restructuring of Bord na Móna. As he knows, the commissioning of that report was to examine quite a number of aspects as well as the question of restructuring. While the main elements in the report deal with restructuring, they also cover in a much more emphatic way matters relating to the normal day to day management of the board and quite a number of suggestions in relation to where changes could be made. These are of a fairly sensitive commercial nature and require negotiations between the management of Bord na Móna and the unions. I would not want to make that job any more difficult at present.
In the light of the information the Minister has been given in this report, is it his intention to proceed with the Turf Development Bill at present going through the House or — as Deputy Bruton pointed out and I agree with him — as the report must be relevant to the future development of Bord na Móna would it be better to withdraw the present Bill and introduce a more comprehensive Bill in relation to the overall future development of Bord na Móna?
That view has been put to me on a few occasions and I have given it some consideration. There is an urgency in regard to new arrangements which the board are making but, on deeper reflection, there is nothing in the Turf Development Bill which would be in conflict with the contents of the report. For that reason we should proceed with the Turf Development Bill as it is enabling legislation. If, in due course, it is necessary to introduce amendments we can do so but I do not see the direct necessity for that now. I would prefer to have the legislative mechanics to enable Bord na Móna to proceed more freely with future developments and I should like to have the support of the House in that regard.