asked the Taoiseach if he will state in respect of each of the years 1945 and 1948 (a) the quantity of coal mined at Arigna, Castlecomer, and Slieveardagh; (b) the number of men employed at each of the mines during 1945 and 1948, and (c) the price realised ex-colliery for the coal sold in 1945 and 1948.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Coal Mines.
The total quantities of coal mined at Arigna, Castlecomer and Slieveardagh were 138,011 tons and 113,198 tons in 1945 and 1948 respectively; the average numbers of men employed in each of these years were 915 and 802 respectively and the average price realised ex-colliery per ton was £2 1s. 11d. in 1945 and £2 7s. 1d. in 1948.
These statistics have been supplied under the Statistics Acts, 1926 and 1946, so that the particulars relating to the individual concerns cannot be divulged.
In view of the fact that the quantity of coal we got from Great Britain during the past ten months cost £8,000,000 and in view of the uncertainty of the continuance of supplies from that source in the future, have the Government taken any steps to expand the output from these Irish mines?
The maximum development is going on in Slieveardagh and the two other mines referred to are privately owned.
And because they are privately owned, the Government cannot do anything about them?