asked the Minister for Labour the steps he is taking to resolve the industrial dispute at the ESB generating station at Marina, Cork, to ensure that the risk of power cuts this winter is alleviated.

The Industrial Council of the ESB have recently made recommendations for the settlement of this dispute and these recommendations are under consideration by the board and the trade unions concerned.

Does the Minister propose to intervene in any dispute which occurs outside the Cork area which he represents?

That is a separate question.

I gather the Minister is concerning himself with the settlement of this question. He is aware of reports emanating from the board and elsewhere that supplies for the winter may be affected. Has he concerned himself with these reports?

Of course. The Deputy heard my reply to his question.

Would the Minister repeat his reply?

The Industrial Council of the ESB have recently made recommendations for the settlement of this dispute and these recommendations are under consideration by the board and the trade unions concerned.

Does the Minister consider that the threat of power cuts in the winter will be averted if these proposals are carried through?

That is a separate question. The Deputy asked about the generating station at Marina and I answered it.

This question was put down because the problems at this station were referred to as being a prime cause for possible supply shortages during the winter period. Is the Minister satisfied that power cuts over that period will be averted if the proposals he mentioned are successful?

I am hopeful that, as a result of what I said in my reply, the dispute at the Marina power station will be finished.

The Minister is satisfied that there will be no shortage of electricity during the winter?

That is a separate question. The Deputy asked a specific question and I answered it.

The power situation is very serious. I am surprised the Minister is not addressing himself to this question.

If this affected Cork the Minister would address himself to the matter.