Dáil Éireann - Volume 94 - 12 June, 1944

Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Storage Capacity.

Mr. Briscoe Mr. Briscoe

Mr. Briscoe asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether lack of storage capacity for water at Ardnacrusha is mainly responsible for the deficiency in the requirements of electricity.

Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass

106

Mr. Lemass: Present difficulties regarding electricity supply are not due to lack of storage capacity for water in the Shannon; they are due to the [106] continued drought and the very restricted quantities of coal which can be made available to the board.

Mr. Briscoe Mr. Briscoe

Mr. Briscoe: In the event of rain coming and adequate water being available, is the Minister prepared to say that the main difficulty at Ardnacrusha will have been overcome?

Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass

Mr. Lemass: There is no difficulty in utilising all the water that can be stored on the Shannon.

Mr. Briscoe Mr. Briscoe

Mr. Briscoe: Is that the only difficulty that confronts us in Ardnacrusha —lack of water?

Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass

Mr. Lemass: Yes.

Mr. Larkin Mr. Larkin

Mr. Larkin: Might I ask whether, in view of the Minister's previous answer, proposals were received by the Electricity Supply Board indicating the possibility of increasing the output of the Shannon Scheme by 100,000 kilowatts without any additional plant being installed?

Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass

Mr. Lemass: I cannot say whether such proposals were or were not received by the board but I am quite certain that, if such proposals were received, they were considered impracticable.

Dáil Éireann 94 Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. Shannon Storage Capacity.

Questions

19440612