asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a ration of coal available, for domestic use, to the residents of the islands of Cape Clear, Sherkin, Long Island, and the other Islands off the coast of West Cork.

Supplies of coal are not sufficient to enable an allowance of coal to be given for domestic use in any part of the scheduled turf area.

Would the Minister consider giving a permit to one of the local merchants to bring in a small schooner cargo of coal for use by the inhabitants of these islands?

That is the question I have replied to.

I do not think it is. A small schooner cargo could be brought in without interfering with the general allocation for this country.

No coal cargo can be brought into this country, in addition to the supplies we are entitled to import anyhow.

A small schooner cargo could be taken off without doing any great harm.