asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he can indicate the nature of the preliminary report received from his inspector in connection with the proposal for the reopening of the Wolfhill, Co. Leix, colliery; what is the present position of his Department concerning same, and if he can now state whether the Government are prepared to provide a State grant for the purpose of enabling this colliery to be reopened.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reopening of Wolfhill Colliery.
A revision by officers of the Geological Survey of the information as to the Leinster coalfield of which Wolfhill forms a part has been in progress for some time. On the basis of the information so collected consideration will be given to the matter of undertaking further exploration work by borings or otherwise. The re-opening of the Wolfhill colliery is a matter for private enterprise in the first instance. I would, of course, be prepared to give any assistance within my powers towards a project of that kind, but the question of a grant from public funds does not arise at the present stage.
Are we to understand quite definitely now that the re-opening of this and other collieries will depend on the amount of private capital forthcoming for the purpose?
In the first instance.