asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is prepared to request the Electricity Supply Board to examine the possibility of erecting an electric power generating station, in close proximity to the Arigna coal mines, and designed to use Arigna coal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Generating Station at Arigna.
The question of erecting a generating station in the vicinity of the Arigna coalfield has been under examination by the Electricity Supply Board for some time, and I understand from the board that, for the purpose of the examination, they await information which the colliery owners have been requested to supply about the nature and quantity of the coal which could be produced in the coal-fields over a period of 25 years.
Does the Minister know how long this question has been under examination by the Electricity Supply Board?
All I can say is that I requested the Electricity Supply Board in December last to examine the matter and let me have their views. The board stated that they had requested certain information from the colliery owners, information which they would require to prepare a report, and that that information has not yet been received.
Would the Minister agree that Arigna is not such a strange, or weird, or secret product that the Electricity Supply Board do not know its quality and its ash content?
I would not agree.
In making further inquiries, will the Minister ascertain from his technical advisers whether Arigna coal is better than American slates or American slack?
I have no doubt whatever that good quality coal can be produced in Arigna. I also know that very bad coal was produced.
That is all the more reason why the Minister should examine the matter.