asked the Minister for Transport and Power why the ESB turf burning plant at Meenacuing, Gweedore, County Donegal, is closed so often and why there was an intake of only 5,000 tons of turf so far this year.

I am informed by the ESB that the boiler grate at the station commenced to give trouble in October, and, after some intermittent closing, the station had to be taken out of commission on 1st November for essential maintenance on the grate. They hope that this work will be completed before the end of next week.

The board inform me that since 1st April this year, 13,000 tons of turf have been burned at the station and add that, provided there are no further breakdowns, the station should consume the normal quantity of turf during the current year to 31st March, 1970.