asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will indicate the location of each coal mine in Éire, the names of the owners, the quantities of coal or anthracite produced each year since 1947, the number of persons employed at each mine and whether it will be possible to expand production in the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coal Mines.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to have circulated with the Official Report a statement giving certain of the particulars required by the Deputy. It would not, of course, be appropriate to give production and employment figures for individual coal mines. I am not in a position to assess the productive capacity of these mines. Production is conditioned by availability of capital, machinery and skilled labour and by the market for the product. A ready market should be available for all lump coal produced by Irish mines having regard to the present high level of coal prices caused by the necessity to import substantial quantities of coal from the United States of America. There should also be a demand for slack coal from Irish mines provided it is of good quality.
COAL MINES IN IRELAND.
(a) SEMI-BITUMINOUS MINES.
|
Location of Mine |
Name of the Owner |
Total quantity of semi-bituminous coal produced from these mines each year since 1947 |
Total number of persons employed at all mines (semibituminous and anthracite) |
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|
1947 |
1948 |
1949 |
1950 |
1951 |
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|
1,250* |
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|
Dereenavoggy, Arigna, Co. Roscommon. |
Arigna Collieries, Ltd. |
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|
Seltannaveeny, Arigna, Co. Roscommon. |
do. |
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|
Rockhill, Arigna, Co. Ros common. |
do. |
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|
Tullymurray, Arigna, Co. Leitrim. |
do. |
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|
Glenkillamey, Arigna, Co. Sligo. |
Lynns Sligo Coal Min ing Co., Ltd. |
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|
Gubnaveagh, Bencroy, Co. Leitrim. |
Patrick Gannon |
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|
Kilronan Mountain, Arigna, Co. Roscommon. |
E. A. McDermottroe |
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|
Mullaghgarve, Aghacashel, Co. Leitrim. |
Messrs. Geoghegan & Doherty. |
tons 97,885 |
tons 81,956 |
tons 78,925 |
tons 72,405 |
Not available |
|
|
Greaghnageeragh, Ballyfar non, Co. Roscommon. |
M. J. Moone & Co. |
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|
Glackaunadarragh, Arigna, Co. Leitrim. |
Flynn & Lehany Coal Co., Ltd. |
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|
Seltannaveeny, Arigna, Co. Roscommon. |
Drumshanbo Mines, Ltd. |
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|
Slievenakilla, Ballinaglera, Co. Leitrim. |
Messrs McHugh & Gilmartin. |
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|
Ballynameeltoge, Aghacashel, Co. Leitrim. |
Patrick Bruen |
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|
Ballynashee, Co. Sligo |
McTiernan Bros. |
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|
Kilronan Mountain, Arigna, Co. Roscommon. |
John James Flynn |
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|
(b) ANTHRACITE MINES. |
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|
Location of Mine |
Name of Mine Owner |
Total quantity of anthracite, including anthracite duff, produced from these mines each year since 1947 |
|||||
|
1947 |
1948 |
1949 |
1950 |
1951 |
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|
Moyhora, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny. |
Castlecomer Collieries, Ltd. |
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|
Ballylehane Upper, Co. Laoighis. |
Flemings Coal Mines, Ltd. |
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|
Rossmore, Co. Laoighis (Nr. Carlow). |
Rossmore Collieries, Ltd. |
tons 119,989 |
tons 87,230 |
tons 47,678 |
tons 96,772 |
Not available |
|
|
Doonane, Crettyard, Co. Laoighis. |
The Hollypark Mining Co., Ltd. |
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|
Clashduff, Nr. Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary, S.R. |
Mianrai, Teo. |
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|
Kilgory, Co. Laoighis |
Irish Coal Mines, Ltd. |
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* This figure represents the mean level of employment of wage-earners in all coal mines over the year 1950, and is the most up-to-date figure available.
Would the Minister state what is the high price, approximately, for coal to which he refers as an inducement for the production of coal from Irish mines? Had he any figure in mind?
If the Deputy desires to know the average price obtained for American coal he can get that information by putting down a question.
It is a separate question.
What price had the Minister in mind as an inducement for the maximum production of coal from Irish mines?
American coal.
What price had the Minister in mind? He must have had some price in mind.
That is right. It is high. It varies from town to town and from district to district.
What price does the Minister think would encourage maximum production?
The Deputy will get the fullest possible information if he puts down a question.
The Minister had no price in mind.