asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the private turf producers in the Caherciveen area are dissatisfied with the number of wagons allocated to them for the movement of their turf; if he will state why such a large number of turf wagons is being allocated to the Kerry County Council; and whether, in view of the large quantity of turf saved in the area by private producers, he will see that there is a more equitable distribution of wagons between the Kerry County Council and private producers.

I am aware that private turf producers in the Caherciveen area are dissatisfied with the number of wagons available to them for the movement of their turf. The number of wagons allocated to the Kerry County Council is determined by the necessity for ensuring that the requirements of the non-turf areas to which the turf is consigned are adequately met. The number of wagons available for the transport of turf is strictly limited and a higher proportion could not at present be made available to private producers except at the expense of the more urgent transport of turf for the winter reserve dumps.