asked the Minister for Energy if he is satisfied that the public interest is best served by the coal monopoly in Dublin; if this monopoly has Government approval; and if it precludes competition in the coal importing business in Dublin.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Coal Monopoly.
18.
I am aware that the present arrangement in relation to the importation of coal supplies in the Dublin area exists solely as a result of developments in the trade over the past ten years or so. This situation does not preclude the entry by other interests who may wish to engage in the importation of coal. On the distribution side, two-thirds of the Dublin area's coal are handled by the bellmen. The statutory procedures for investigating the public interest aspects of the present importation and general trading arrangements are not within my sphere of responsibility but I should say, as indicated in replies to previous questions on this subject, that the position in the Dublin area has been the subject of a number of investigations over the past seven years or so, the most recent such investigation being early in 1979. None of these investigations confirmed that difficulties in supplying the market could be attributed to abuse of a monopoly position.
There are no regulations precluding competition in the coal importing business in Dublin but there are, of course, the practical constraints arising out of the need for availability of berthage, unloading and storage facilities and so on. These are matters outside my control but I would welcome, from the energy supply point of view, any positive steps which interested parties may have in mind for provision of additional coal-importing facilities in Dublin.