asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed at a recent meeting of the Leitrim County Council dealing with the nationalisation of the Arigna coal mines; whether it is correct that experts have reported that these mines contain sufficient coal to meet the requirements of this country for many years; if he will state the Government's proposals on the matter of the future development of these mines; and if he will appoint a date to discuss their proposals in the matter with the Leitrim County Council.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arigna Coal Mines.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The coal seams in the Arigna district were the subject of a through and expert investigation, the report on which was received in 1936. This report does not support the belief that the quantities of coal which can be economically extracted are of the order suggested in the question. Practically the whole of the Arigna coalfield is being worked by several private coalmining concerns at present and is being worked as efficiently as it can be worked in existing circumstances. It is not intended to nationalise coal mines, and I am quite satisfied that no improvement in coal output in the Arigna area would result from such a policy. It is not proposed to have discussions towards that end with Leitrim County Council.
The Minister has used the word "economical". Would it be possible to get a greater supply of coal, that would do this country for very many years, if the Minister dropped the word "economical"? Can it be got out by a substantial Government grant, even something approaching what has been put into turf production?
No, sir.
Is it not possible to put the same amount of money into coal production and to see what can be done, especially during this emergency?
No. If the Deputy will consult with somebody who is familiar with the working of coal mines he will realise that no subsidy could increase the output of coal at present.
Is the Minister aware that, according to local reports, in connection with the Arigna coal mines, the road into the coal mines is in such a condition that the coal cannot be taken out?
I do not know what the Deputy means by the road into the coal mines. There are about 20 workings in Arigna, scattered over a wide area.
I refer to the area where there is the greatest amount of coal. We are told the road there is in a very bad condition.
Where there is the greatest output of coal, a very fine new road was constructed in the last few years.
The people in the locality seem to be wrong.
Will the Minister say whether this report has been published or whether it is available?
No. It is available to anybody interested in the commercial development of the area but, as it deals with the property of a number of private individuals, it has not been published.
It is not available to Deputies?
No. It is a very technical report, which only a coalmining engineer would understand.