asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the fact that 150 men have been laid off by the Arigna colleries owing to a dispute between Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teo. and themselves regarding the price of coal, he will use his good offices to arrange a conference between the collieries and the company with a view to bringing about a settlement of the dispute.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arigna Collieries Dispute.
I understand that a substantial proportion of the coal produced in the Arigna area has in recent years been purchased by the Irish Sugar Company, and I am informedthat the sugar company are prepared to continue purchasing Arigna coal provided that the price, related to quality, is not in excess of coal supplied from other sources.
The intervention of my Department is not required to enable a conference to be held between any particular colliery interest and the Irish Sugar Company, and the holding of such a conference under the auspices of the Department might create misunderstanding of my official responsibilities in such matters. I must make it clear that I am not prepared to request the sugar company to pay an uneconomic price for Arigna coal. If it is a fact that from some of the Arigna workings coal cannot now be produced for sale at an economic price, it is for the interests concerned to consider what reorganisation or other changes may be required to rectify this situation.