asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will cause investigations to be made into the possibility of using anthracite coal as a basis for smokeless fuel.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Anthracite Coal.
8.
An investigation is already under way into the possibility of using anthracite duff as a basis for smokeless fuel. The investigation is still proceeding. I might mention that, while a final result will not be available for some time, the indications are that it is unlikely that such a venture would be a profitable undertaking.
Not much prospect there either.
9.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he has received the reports on the anthracite industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am not clear what reports the Deputy has in mind. As I have already announced, arrangements have been made which should have the effect of reducing anthracite imports during the next 12 months. In the meantime, a thorough survey of the trends and prospects regarding Irish anthracite is being commissioned by my Department with a view to ascertaining future marketing trends and safeguarding as far as possible the future of Irish coal mines.
It is an unfortunate position that this is a question that concerns two Ministers. I addressed this question to the Minister for Industry and Commerce. He knows the reports that I asked for because, in replying to the debate on his Estimate, he said that there were other problems on which he was not yet in a position to speak as he was awaiting some reports. It was to the Minister for Industry and Commerce that I addressed the question and I am awaiting information from him.
The Minister for Industry and Commerce and I have been collaborating on this matter in so far as it concerns our two Departments. The Minister for Industry and Commerce has, as his own particular problem, the question of the Castlecomer collieries. I have obtained the services of a firm of consultants and they have been appointed to examine the whole question of the marketing and sale of Irish anthracite, and of that the Minister for Industry and Commerce is aware. The decision to do that was made only recently and some time must elapse before there is any result. We had to obtain the consent and permission of the Irish coal merchants and also of the Irish anthracite producers.
The decision to go ahead with the marketing examination is one in which the Minister for Industry and Commerce and I concur and we are proceeding with the thorough examination of this most complicated problem, which involves the substitution of anthracite for other forms of heat. We are seeing what we can do to preserve the anthracite industry in the best way possible. In the meantime, we have asked for a voluntary reduction in the imports of English anthracite which should help the sale of Irish anthracite to a great extent.
I am grateful to the Minister for his long reply but, as I have said, I addressed the question to the Minister for Industry and Commerce. He stated in his reply that he was waiting for some reports and that in the meantime he was not in a position to make a statement. We are now about to go into a long recess for three or four months and I want to ask the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has got the report or reports.
The two are separate problems.