Under the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998, day to day operational decisions are a matter for the Board of Bord Na Móna, and are not a function of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
I am advised that the planned outage until mid September 2011 of West Offaly Power will result in Bord na Móna's peat supply operations to that plant not being required during the outage with a consequent loss of revenue to Bord na Móna.
Some 150 employees are employed in the peat supply operation to West Offaly and Bord na Móna's focus is to minimise lay-offs among these employees by redeployment to other necessary work. Bord na Móna has recently concluded an agreement with the Group of Unions with regard to a work plan for the duration of the outage.