Micheál Martin
Question:390. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if coal mining was discussed at a recent European Council meeting. [20561/19]
View answerTuesday, 14 May 2019
Questions (390)
Written answers
Coal mining was not discussed at EU Council meetings at which either I or Minister of State Canney were in attendance.
Officials from my Department attended the 4th Working Group of the EU Commission's “Platform for Coal and Carbon Intensive Regions in Transition” in April this year. The main objectives of the Platform are to enable multi-stakeholder dialogue on policy frameworks for successful transformation of coal and carbon-intensive regions, and to facilitate the development of strategies and projects in areas such as investment for structural transformation, growth and jobs. My Department attended this meeting in the context of a commitment to transition out of producing milled peat for power generation in the Midlands Region.
I have recently written to EU Commissioner Canete, requesting the inclusion of the Midlands Region on the Platform for Coal and Carbon Intensive Regions in Transition. The inclusion of the Midlands Region on the Platform would mean that a team of European Commission and external experts would be assigned to assist the relevant State bodies with refining project ideas and implementation strategies, including feedback on relevant EU policies, programmes, funds and financing instruments.
While I am awaiting a response from the European Commission, I expect it to be positive.