asked the Minister for Transport and Power the respective amounts and cost of (a) native fuel and (b) imported coal and oil used for heating the buildings of State and semi-State bodies which are under the aegis of his Department.

The heating of State buildings is, in general, arranged by the Office of Public Works, and I have no function in the matter.

In the special case of Shannon Airport, annual expenditure for this purpose on native fuel, i.e. electricity and turf, is of the order of £18,500 and on imported fuel is of the order of £600.

In so far as semi-State bodies are concerned the information sought relates to the day-to-day administration of these bodies and is, therefore, a matter on which direct enquiry might be made from the bodies concerned.

I have urged all semi-State bodies for which I am responsible to give preference to native fuel to the utmost practicable extent.