asked the Minister for Energy the amount of money from all State and semi-State resources which was invested in the Ballingarry Anthracite Mines, Thurles, County Tipperary; to whom such money was made available, when, and for what purpose; if he is satisfied that the money made available by way of loan, grant or other means, was expended in the manner intended; the steps, if any, which were taken by his Department and the other State agencies involved to ensure accountability and also that the then owners had the financial, managerial and technical resources to establish and maintain a viable mining operation at Ballingarry; the nature of any investigations which have been carried out or are presently in train in connection with the operation of the mines in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Ballingarry Anthracite Mines.
No moneys were advanced by my Department in respect of the Ballingarry Mine operation which closed down in 1984. I understand that certain moneys were advanced by the Industrial Development Authority and by Fóir Teoranta, bodies which fall within the aegis of the Minister for Industry and Commerce and the Minister for Finance respectively.
37.
asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the progress, if any, which has been made towards the reopening of Ballingarry Anthracite Mines, which went into receivership in January 1985 resulting in the loss of 200 jobs approximately; the reason for the inordinate delay involved in reopening the mines; the extent to which positive proposals exist for the purchase and utilisation of the mines; when work is likely to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As the Deputy is aware, the receiver of Flair Resources (Ireland) Limited, which holds the State mining lease over the Ballingarry coalfield, was precluded, as a consequence of commitments entered into by the company prior to receivership from advertising the lease for sale prior to June of this year.
In July the receiver advertised in Irish newspapers the availability of the lease for sale and he invited interested parties to contact him. He received a number of indications of positive interest. He is now in the process of advertising further in selected international publications. It is not possible to say at this stage whether a suitable purchaser will come forward.
I am anxious that the Ballingarry mines should re-open as soon as possible and my Department will give the fullest co-operation and assistance to the receiver in his efforts to find a purchaser.