asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce who is responsible for the safe maintenance of the old workings at the Avoca Copper Mines, County Wicklow, which are totally out of use; and if he will bring to the attention of the individual or body responsible the need for a survey of the disused working before the annual influx of hikers and tourists into the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maintenance of Disused Mines.
85.
I am not clear what old workings the Deputy has in mind. I am, however, arranging to have a survey of disused workings in the area carried out with a view to having any of these shafts which may be found to be dangerous rendered safe. I might add that I have not received any complaints in recent years regarding the safe maintenance of old mine workings in this area.
Could the Minister say whose responsibility it is?
No; apart from the question of making them safe and finding out what is dangerous, in order to establish liability, it would be necessary to carry out this survey. Some could be the responsibility of private owners and some could be the responsibility of the State.
Has the Minister responsibility for the safety of the mines?
Not exactly. We are talking about abandoned workings. In some cases the Minister for Industry and Commerce is empowered to take steps to make them safe but he has not a statutory responsibility in that regard. Apart from that, State responsibility could arise in the case of private ownership of some of these workings or in the case where the minerals are State owned, there could be statutory responsibility on the Minister.