asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement regarding native coalmines and the future he sees for them.
181.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Coal Industry.
180.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is now in a position to state whether the Irish coal industry can expand in present world circumstances.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
Our native coal reserves consist of anthracite in the Leinster and Slieveardagh coalfields and semi-bituminous coal in the Argina area of County Roscommon.
Our anthracite coal industry has been experiencing difficulties for some years past resulting in the closure of two main mines at Rossmore, County Carlow and Ballingarry, County Tipperary. Legal formalities in connection with the sale of Rossmore collieries are now nearing completion and it is hoped that the mine will be reopened shortly. The receiver appointed for Ballingarry collieries is still negotiating with interested parties with a view to the disposal of the mine.
Our semi-bituminous coal is used mainly for the purpose of generating electricity. Deputies will be aware that the Minister for Transport and Power indicated recently in the House that the ESB are re-examining the possibilities of utilising the "crow" coal deposits at Arigna for that purpose and will submit their recommendation to him in due course.
A general re-appraisal of our coal reserves is being carried out with a view to determining their potential in the light of the present fuel situation and Deputies can be assured that every effort will be made to utilise our limited coal reserves to the fullest possible extent.
Apart from the fact that the Minister mispronounced the name of an important area not only in Tipperary but in the country——
The Deputy may ask a question.
Is the Minister aware that when the National Coalition decided to flood the Ballingarry mines coal was only £13 per ton? It is now £28 per ton, but the costs of production have not risen in the meantime. Would the Minister reconsider urgently his views in regard to production at Ballingarry and the loss of employment for more than 300 miners in the area?
I will see that the Deputy's comments are conveyed to the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
That is not what I asked the Minister to do.
I am calling Question 182.
This matter affects 300 miners. We have a national asset at Ballingarry——
I have called Question No. 182.
The recent price increases——
We will not be treated with arrogance by the Minister.
What does the Deputy wish to ask the Minister?
I want to ask the Minister if he has any further information about other firms, about Germans in particular, who have looked at the industry. That information should be given to the House. This question should not be glossed over in this arrogant way by the Minister. He does this not only in regard to his own Department but also in connection with other Departments. There are 300 people involved here and their interests must be looked after.
I have called Question No. 182.
The Chair is giving more attention——
The Chair has called Question No. 182 and I have tried to reply to it.
If the Minister spoke up and stood up properly he might be heard.
If the Deputy wants to use that kind of abuse in the House the Chair will not tolerate it. I have called Question No. 182 on several occasions.
The abuse is coming from that Minister in the replies he is giving to Opposition Deputies.
The Chair will not permit Members on any side of the House to use language that leads to counteraction on the other side. The Chair tries to be fair to both sides.
Will the Chair ensure that the Minister answers questions?
The Chair can ensure nothing with regard to the answering of questions. The Chair can only——
The Chair can ensure that Members on this side are not answered adequately.
The Deputy may have such views but the Chair has no control over the answers given by Ministers.
I do not think the Chair wants to have control in view of the answers I am getting.
I am calling Question No. 182.