asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if and when it is proposed to reopen the collieries at Rossmore, Carlow, County Laois; if he has given an undertaking to the people of the area that they will be reopened and substantial local employment given at an early date; and the amount of State investment to be provided for the reopening of these mines.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laois Collieries.
19.
I am keeping in close touch with the position of these collieries for the development of which substantial State funds have been made available in recent years. While I am most anxious that they should be reopened as soon as possible, I am not in position to say when this will take place. Possibilities which might lead to the reopening are being actively considered by the management and its financial advisers. An important factor in this respect is the need to ensure that reopening will be achieved on a basis that would give reasonable assurance of continuity of working.