Vol. 414 No. 4
122 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Energy his views on whether coal mining and electricity generation should continue in the Arigna region if coal is found there; and the reasons the 1990 report was never made public as promised in the Arigna Task Force report.
123 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Energy whether, arising from a report being commissioned on the viability of the coal mining-electricity generation continuing in the Arigna area during the summer, the results of the report will be made public.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together.
I recently appointed independent consultants to carry out a technical-economic study into the feasibility of continuing operations at the Arigna power station by using a blend of local and imported coals as proposed to me by the Arigna Action Committee. I expect the report will be finalised by Christmas, and after I have had an opportunity to examine it, I shall make a statement on the findings.
With regard to the Arigna Task Force report, which was made public on 13 August, 1991, there is no reference in it to other reports being made public. The task force report concerned itself with initiatives for job creation in the Arigna catchment area arising from the closure of the local mines and the ESB's decision to close the station in the future.
