asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any negotiations are taking place between his Department and the owners of the Slieveardagh Collieries, Co. Tipperary, towards having the mines reopened, and, if not, whether he is prepared, with a view to the re-employment of the 150 to 200 men who formerly worked in these collieries, to seek the necessary powers to acquire and re-open them; also, if he can state who the present owners are and what is the nature of their ownership.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - The Slieveardagh Collieries.
There is no party in negotiation with my Department at present concerning the re-opening of these collieries. I would not be prepared to seek powers to acquire and re-open them, as I have no reason to doubt that if it was a sound commercial proposition it would be taken up by private persons. The last party purporting to be owner of the collieries of which my Department had knowledge was the Slieveardagh and Carlow Syndicate, but I am unable to state the precise nature of its interest or whether it still retains that interest.
Is the Minister aware that these men who are unemployed are costing the ratepayers of South Tipperary about £200 a week in home assistance? If he could see his way to see that the collieries were taken over and opened it would save the ratepayers a lot of money.
I cannot go into the coal-mining business, of course.
Is there any protection against those people who come into this country and take over collieries like this and other industries for the purpose of closing them down?
There is no evidence that that is occurring.