Vol. 357 No. 7
asked the Minister for Energy the proposals he has, and the current status concerning the re-opening of Tipperary Anthracite Ltd., Lickfinn, Thurles, County Tipperary, and collieries in their possession; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
550.
asked the Minister for Energy if he will order an inquiry into the incidence of flooding at the anthracite mines of Tipperary Anthracite Ltd., Lickfinn, Thurles, County Tipperary; the extent of damage done to both the mines and machinery in the mines, the cost of correcting the damage and making the mines operative again; the effect the damage will have on dissuading potential purchasers of the mine; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
551.
asked the Minister for Energy if he will investigate the feasibility of affording the highly skilled and experienced workforce at Ballingarry collieries, County Tipperary, the opportunity of operating the Tipperary Anthracite Ltd. mine on a co-operative basis; if he will initiate discussions with the work force and their respective trade unions in connection with this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 549 to 551 inclusive, together.
The State mining lease held by Flair Resources (Ireland) Ltd. over the Ballingarry coalfield is in the hands of a receiver. A number of expressions of interest in the mine property have been made to the receiver, one involving a lease transfer agreement between a Canadian company and Flair Resources (Ireland) Ltd. prior to the latter going into receivership. However, I have not received any request from the receiver for my approval of the assignment of the lease to any of the parties who have been in contact with him. In this connection any proposal by the workforce to operate the mine on a co-operative basis would have to be addressed to the receiver in the first instance. If any such proposal is put to me by the receiver I will give it due consideration.
In December 1984 my Department, concerned about the effect the flooding would have on the mine, engaged consultants to investigate and report on the condition of the flooded mine at Lickfinn and to estimate the cost of dewatering and rehabilitating the mine. While they had difficulty in precisely assessing the consequences of flooding for the mine workings, the consultants considered that mine roadways and heavy machinery now under water will not have deteriorated significantly before about July-August 1985 but that after that time deterioration could occur. It was estimated that the minimum cost of dewatering the mine and rehabilitating the mine roadways and transport facilities would be about £165,000; this figure does not include the cost of rehabilitating mechanical and electrical equipment. The precise cost would depend, of course, on conditions at the time of dewatering and on the condition of the roadways and equipment after dewatering had been effected. I am not in a position to comment on the extent to which these costs might discourage potential purchasers.
