asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the total cost of imported fuel consumed in the heating of Leinster House and Government Buildings during the past ten year period.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Imported Fuel for Heating State Buildings.
Over the past ten year period, the average annual cost of imported fuel consumed in the heating of Leinster House and Government Buildings was £7,000.
Is it a fact that approximately £70,000 has been spent in the past ten years on imported fuel to heat Leinster House and Government Buildings, which I presume covers the Taoiseach's Department? How does the Minister reconcile that expenditure with the Government's proclaimed anxiety to use to the utmost native fuel in preference to imported fuels?
Yes, the Deputy's calculation is correct, but the heating for Leinster House is provided from the central heating station which also heats the College of Science, the National Museum and the College of Art. The boilers in that central heating station have been the subject of experiments for the purpose of adapting them to turf but these experiments were not successful.
In view of the Government's request to private industrial concerns and other users of foreign fuel to change over to the use of native fuel, surely it is not too much to expect that this House and the Taoiseach's Department——
The Deputy is making a speech.
—would use native fuel and thereby set the example.
What the Deputy is advocating has been attempted by the Office of Public Works.
Nonsense.
The matter will have to be looked into in some other way.