asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that poultry keepers throughout the County Kilkenny have received inadequate supplies of paraffin oil for incubators this winter, with the result that many poultry keepers are unable to keep their incubators heated, with consequent loss of chickens; and if, in view of the failure and irregularity of the supply of paraffin, he will indicate what steps he proposes to take to remedy the present position.

I am not aware that the allowances fixed for incubators are inadequate. There have been delays in the delivery of supplies by the oil companies, who, however, have stated that they are making every possible effort to speed up distribution.

Is the Minister aware that there is a large number of incubators all over the country where hatches have actually been lost——

No, Sir.

——because no supplies are available?

I am not so aware.

I am aware of it.

Of a total of 9,000 persons in receipt of permits, not more than 50 have had difficulty in procuring supplies.

Is the Minister aware that several owners of incubators in County Kilkenny have not got anything like the supplies to which they are entitled on their permits? Several persons have told me that they have not got even 20 or 25 per cent. of their allocations and they are unable to get any from the local depôt because there has been a failure in distribution.

I am aware, and I have informed the House, that there has been considerable delay in the distribution of supplies to the depôts throughout the country. I explained also the reason given by the oil companies for that delay. There can be no certainty of speedy delivery until the additional equipment required for the purpose has reached the country.

Is not there considerable delay on the part of Córas Iompair Eireann in returning even the oil wagons we have at the moment? I understand in many cases it is impossible to get an oil wagon back to Dublin under a week, and that very often it takes a fortnight for the turnround to take place.

I cannot answer that question, but the Deputy is aware that Córas Iompair Eireann goods trains are running only three days a week now.

This was even before the suspension of the normal services which we had.

When the Minister says that only 50 persons have had difficulty in procuring supplies, does he mean 50 users of kerosene or 50 local distributors?

I mean 50 people, to the knowledge of my Department.

That is, that 50 people have complained to the Minister. I would like the Minister to understand that there are about 50 people in that position in the Killenaule area, Tipperary, not to talk of the rest of the country.

Does the Minister know that from the Carlow depôt, which supplies a big area; there is not a drop of paraffin oil being distributed and that in a big number of incubators the hatch has been completely lost because there is no paraffin? What the Minister stated is not correct.

That may be so. I have already stated in the House my view that the oil companies have failed to do their job properly. I cannot make them do any better than they are doing. They say there are practical difficulties concerning the delivery of tank cars and tank wagons. I think they could have made provision against this increase in supplies in advance and with reasonable foresight they could have been able to understand the difficulties that would arise. The only thing I can do is to put on them all the pressure I can to do their job.

I want to protest against the Minister making an incorrect statement that only 50 people have experienced difficulty.

Is this a question?

The number is substantially more than that.

It is the second incorrect statement the Minister has made to-day.

Is the Minister aware that the oil companies are blaming Córas Iompair Eireann for failure to distribute the oil?

I have no doubt.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that no domestic paraffin has been issued to domestic consumers in the Graiguenamanagh and Borris districts, County Kilkenny, since last November; and if he will indicate what steps he will take to expedite the distribution of paraffin in these areas without further delay.

I would refer the Deputy to the statements I made in the Dáil in reply to Questions yesterday and on the 22nd January in regard to delays in the distribution of petroleum products.

Does the Minister consider that nothing can be done to relieve the position in the Graiguenamanagh and Borris districts? I have letters from constituents there who inform me that most of the people in those areas have got no domestic paraffin since last November.

That is not right. There have been delays in delivering rations up to date but, with the available equipment, efforts are being made to keep all the depôts supplied.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state if permits for paraffin oil, additional to the domestic ration, have been issued to owners of primus stoves, and if he is satisfied that the use of paraffin in primus stoves has not adversely affected the supply of paraffin to poultry keepers.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The supply position is such as to permit of the grant of allowances for primus stoves without detriment to poultry keepers. It is possible, of course, that because of the delays in distribution any additional allocation may, in certain areas, temporarily affect the supplies to poultry keepers. I think this is unlikely, however, because allowances for primus stoves form only a negligible fraction of total issues.

Does the Minister appreciate that if there is a temporary suspension of paraffin to poultry keepers, it means the loss of all their chickens?

But the supply for primus stoves is only 1 per cent. of the total and cannot affect it very much.

Does the Minister appreciate that his information is not at all correct?

The Minister appreciates that he is shielding Córas Iompair Eireann.