asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the Limerick Dock area, which up to last year was treated by the Electricity Supply Board as a public thoroughfare to which public lighting rates were applicable, is now being treated on the same basis as a private concern, the harbour commissioners being compelled to pay for the lighting of this area at the higher rate chargeable to private consumers; and whether, as the dock area is not, in fact, privately owned, he will consider this matter with a view to taking the necessary steps to having the charges for current imposed on the harbour commissioners in respect of the lighting of these grounds restored to the public lighting rate.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that consumers of electric current in Limerick, which is immediately adjacent to the power station, are compelled to pay for lighting and heating at rates which are 30 per cent. in excess of those obtaining in Dublin; and if, in view of the increasing importance of Limerick City and the disadvantages which these high charges impose on business undertakings, he will consider introducing legislation to enable the same rate to be charged to all consumers of electric current throughout Éire.

I propose to take these two questions together. I have no functions regarding the fixing of the scales of charges for electricity and I am not prepared to interfere in the case to which the Deputy refers, nor to introduce legislation to amend the existing statutory provisions relating to the fixing of those charges.

As regards the alteration in the scale of charges for lighting in the Limerick Dock area, I understand that owing to changes made by the Limerick Harbour Commissioners in the number and period of lighting of lamps situated inside the Harbour Commissioners' Dock it was deemed impossible to regard this lighting as conforming with the conditions applicable to public lighting.

Surely the Minister will not contend that the Limerick Dock area is not a public area? If, for instance, the Electricity Supply Board were suddenly to charge the authorities in Limerick and Dublin for lighting the streets, will the Minister say that he would take no action?

The authorities in Dublin and Limerick are charged for lighting the streets. The law places an obligation on the Electricity Supply Board to frame these charges so as to produce a certain result in the revenue. I have no function in the matter and I do not propose to take any action.

There must be some regulation as to what is a private concern and what is a public concern, and if there are differential rates for private owners and public concerns, are not the Limerick Harbour Commissioners within their rights in asking to be assessed as public owners rather than as private owners?

It is a matter which the Limerick Harbour Commissioners must settle with the Electricity Supply Board.