asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he has available in his Department any reports as to the quality of coal which could be mined at Killeshin, County Carlow, and at Dooary, Ballyroan, Leix; if he will consider the development of such coal mines and the establishment of a board to consider and report upon the possibilities of development of the mines in question and other coal mines in the country, with a view to getting them into production.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coal Mines.
The townland of Killeshin in County Laoighis is not known to contain any coal. Limited quantities of a fairly good quality coal occur at Dooary, but the seam is too thin to work economically.
While the development of coal mines is, in general, primarily a matter for private enterprise, the development of mineral deposits which, though promising, do not attract private enterprise, has been entrusted to Mianraí Teóranta, which company fulfils the functions of the board envisaged by the Deputy.