Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 4

Written Answers. - Private Development of Bogs Funding.

Frank Crowley

Ceist:

73 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Energy, arising out of his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 23 May 1990, if the effect of the reply is that people who want to cut turf should do so on virgin territory without any grants for roads or contribution from Bord na Móna; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this action will save the Exchequer a substantial amount of money in oil and other alternative fuels; and if he has satisfied himself with this situation.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

As I stated in my reply to the Deputy on 23 May 1990 there are no funds available to my Department from which grants can be paid for private development of bogs. No such funds are available to Bord na Móna either.

I am fully aware of the benefits arising from the exploitation of our indigenous energy resources. In this regard, I am pleased that a viable private turf production industry, producing some 1.5 million tonnes of turf per annum, is now established in this country.