asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement on the employment situation in the mines at Glendalough and Avoca now leased by Canadian mining interests.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Glendalough and Avoca Mines.
I am not prepared ordinarily to answer Dáil Questions regarding the activities of private commercial concerns.
I recognise that it may be contended that there are special circumstances relating to the Avoca concern which may justify some departure from this rule, but I ask Deputies to appreciate the undesirability of pressing for information about it which would not be disclosed about any other concern.
On this understanding, I can tell the Deputy that there are at present 261 persons employed there.
Is the Minister aware of the fact that one of these mines, which had been operating for seven years, is now closed and the employees have been dismissed? Is he further aware that a considerable number of the miners have already emigrated and the rest are likely to emigrate unless they are re-employed in the near future? Taking this serious situation into account, would the Minister not consider doing something about it or suggesting that it is the duty of a foreign company, taking over a mine here, at least to work that mine properly and, if it is not prepared to do so, to hand it back to those who originally owned it?
I saw a statement published in the newspapers, but the people concerned did not approach me.
I can assure the Minister the facts I have given him are correct: the mine is closed and all the employees have been discharged.
Does the Minister remember his prophecy about the price of copper? When it was £400 a ton, he said it would be more. It is now £232 per ton. He was wrong as usual then.
Does the Minister not consider that if a foreign company has a lease of a mine here, it is their duty to work that mine?
That raises an entirely separate matter.
If a company has a lease from the Government, then there are obligations under the lease which will be enforced, but that does not apply in the case to which the Deputy is referring.
Is it not a fact that under the Mining Act the Government has powers to see that the mine is properly worked, particularly if it is under the control of a foreign company?
No.