asked the Minister for Energy his plans for the immediate development of the Leinster coalfield with particular reference to the development of Rossmore coalmine and other coal deposits in County Laois; and if he will give assurances that the Government will give priority to this development because of the existing energy situation and the need to provide employment in south Laois.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leinster Coalfield Development.
4.
A leading firm of coalmining consultants has been engaged to advise on the extent, nature and potential for mining on an economic basis of the Irish coalfield reserves, including the Leinster coalfield. The intention is that the consultants will develop a body of data on the coal reserves to a degree which I hope will be sufficient to interest prospective developers to seek mining facilities from my Department.
A draft of the consultants' report on the first phase of the study was recently received in my Department. It consist of the assembly of all available data on the extent and nature of our coal reserves and it identifies certain areas considered worthy of further investigation of their potential for the establishment of viable mining operations.
I would add that, while the consultants have estimated the recoverable reserves in the Leinster coalfield to be in the region of 15 million tonnes, some 12½ million tonnes of this may have a high sulphur content. High sulphur coal would not be suitable for domestic purposes and the means of utilising it without environmental pollution will require particular investigation. It must also be stated that the coal seams in the coalfield are generally not more than 18 inches thick, a factor which has a major influence on production costs.
Rossmore Anthracite Ltd. went into voluntary liquidation in November 1980. My Department are in continuing co-operation with the liquidator in his efforts to secure a purchaser for the mine who would resume coalmining operations there. I fully appreciate the contribution resumption of mining at Rossmore could make to employment in the area and this factor is being borne very much in mind.
Arising from the Minister's reply, the Leinster coalfield covers a very large area of south-east Laois. Because of the closure of the Rossmore coalmine a large number of families have been seriously affected by unemployment. Will the Minister take positive steps to ensure that the Rossmore coalmine is opened and brought into production at the earliest possible opportunity, both from the point of view of creating employment in the area and also, perhaps of greater national importance, to bring to the surface the very valuable coal deposits that are in that area but which are unmined? Would the Minister consider making finance available for the development of this area of the Leinster coalfield?
As I stated in my reply, my Department continue to co-operate with the liquidator in his efforts to secure a purchaser for the mine. As the Deputy may be aware, the mine is held on a care and maintenance basis at present. There is a possibility that a purchaser for the mine will be successful in his application. This week the Tánaiste is meeting trade union interests with a view to having a discussion with them about this matter.
Would the Minister reveal to the House the number of companies interested in coal mining in the Leinster coalfield area in general? Would he further indicate if those interests are outside the country or if there are Irish mining interests involved also?
There is only one company interested in the Rossmore Anthracite Company. I have not got the other information regarding the rest of the Leinster field. It is the wish of my Department that the consultants' further reports would encourage potential developers to become interested in coal mining in the Leinster coalfield. As yet, we have not gone further than having received the first phase of the study of the consultants.