Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Jul 1990

Vol. 400 No. 9

Written Answers. - Coal Imports.

Roger T. Garland

Question:

153 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Energy if he will give details of the amount of coal and anthracite which has been imported each year into Ireland over the last ten years from South Africa; the value of these imports and whether it is the Government's intention to take any action thereon; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

The amount and value of coal and anthracite imported from South Africa during the last ten years was as follows:

	Anthracite	Other Coal	Total Coal
Year	Tonnes	£000	Tonnes	£000	Tonnes	£000
1980	3,537	170	9,500	507	13,037	677
1981	11,744	1,071	—	—	11,744	1,071
1982	7,311	564	83	11	7,394	575
1983	22,117	1,666	41	6	22,158	1,671
1984	14,155	1,185	9,807	357	23,962	1,542
1985	31,012	2,747	38,750	2,242	69,762	4,989
1986	18,771	1,343	29,382	1,556	48,153	2,899
1987	17,208	898	6,190	519	23,398	1,417
1988	46,153	3,148	21,155	858	67,308	4,005
1989	41,105	3,329	35,653	1,664	76,758	4,993

The question of the continuation of coal imports from South Africa is a policy issue within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and, accordingly, I do not propose to comment further on this aspect of the matter.