asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he is aware that two hundred and fifty men employed at Arigna coalmines, County Roscommon, have been idle for the past week; and that they have been informed that they will be laid off for one week in three until further notice; and whether he intends taking steps to obtain a market for the products of these mines, which will avert the laying-off of men.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disemployment of Arigna Mine Workers.
47.
The ESB Power Station at Arigna, which was commissioned in October, 1958, has been absorbing over 50,000 tons per annum as compared with total production at Arigna of 60,000 tons in 1956, 81,000 in 1957 and 65,000 in 1958. I understand that the producers have experienced growing difficulties in disposal of the balance of their output commercially in competition with other fuels, including turf.
As to the second part of the Deputy's question, I would refer him to the reply which I gave to a question asked by Deputy Reynolds on 15th May, 1963.
Is the Minister aware that all the companies producing coal in the Arigna area, except Arigna Collieries, are able to get a market for all the coal they are producing at present and that this colliery which has now laid off 250 men is the company which has got almost a monopoly to supply the existing power station? Furthermore, is the Minister aware that this lay-off of 250 men by Arigna Collieries, Limited, is done deliberately for the purpose of blackmailing the Government into taking steps to supply Arigna Collieries with a second power station to take their supply of coal alone? In the circumstances, will the Minister now consider the suggestion made to him here to nationalise the coal industry in Arigna and thus prevent the exploitation of the unfortunate workers in the area by a company such as that?
The Deputy's statement is totally false. Arigna Collieries are not acting in that way at all.
Why is it that all the other collieries in Arigna are able to sell their coal but in spite of the fact that this company have got a monopoly, practically, to supply the power station in Arigna they are not able to keep their men employed?
The Deputy should know the answer as well as I do. They have been supplying, during the period, an excess of coal to the power station. Stocks of coal have been built up to an undesirable extent, with dust blowing over the area. They have been asked by the ESB to reduce their supply to a reasonable basis. This year, the power station will run on a low factor which would be very high even under normal circumstances but it will be lower than the rate at which it was run last year, which would be dangerous because they were unable to carry out the necessary maintenance. Arrangement is now being made by them to supply coal which will be taken by the power station on an equitable and rational basis. I am told short time work commenced at the colliery on 26th April, 1963. With that in view, there is no suggestion of the Arigna Collieries blackmailing me-none whatever.
What will happen to the 250 men whose families are depending on constant work in this area? Will the Minister answer that? If the company concerned are not able to provide the work for which they were given a monopoly into the power station, who will provide the work for these men?
The Deputy knows very well they have not actually a monopoly. The ESB have been taking some 12,000 tons per annum from other suppliers. Therefore, the statement in regard to monopoly is not true.
This is an argument from start to finish.
Apart from the question of monopoly, there is the livelihood of 250 families at stake. I am asking the Minister a simple question now. Will he take any responsibility to provide work for these men. Will he take any steps to provide an alternative market for the product of this company, if they are not able to get a market themselves?
Investigations are proceeding steadily under which it may be possible to use other deposits of coal in Arigna. My Department are not responsible for any delays that have occurred. It requires examination by professional experts whose time is very much taken up and has to be taken as we can get it. This examination is continuing steadily to see if we cannot use lower grade ore at Arigna.
The Minister is trying to throw dust in the eyes of the people.
What will happen the men in the meantime? The Minister did not say a word about the men. He spoke about dust.
Arigna Collieries have made the best arrangement they can.
The public have been exploited for years in this respect. It is a matter of throwing dust in the eyes of the public.