asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he will have proposals for a meeting of the EEC Council of Ministers in regard to a scheme for increasing the use of coal produced in the Community in power stations; and if he will avail of this opportunity to press the claim of this country for substantial money to re-open and develop coal mines in this country, particularly Leinster coal mines, which could not be economically developed because of limited State investment; and the tonnage of steam coal which could be produced in this country if the mines were opened and developed.
Written Answers . - Coal Production .
161.
: For some months the EEC Council of Ministers have been considering two proposals concerning power station coal.
One proposed that grants would be made available towards the cost of building power stations based on coal. The second envisaged the subsidisation of Community power station coal to help to make it competitive with coal imported from outside the Community.
The Council of Ministers have so far been unable to agree to the adoption of either of these two proposals.
Any Community aid system would apply uniformly throughout the Community and would carry with it an obligation on members to contribute to the financing of the appropriate fund. This country, because of its relatively small coal deposits, would not be in a position to benefit substantially from such a fund. Community coal production at present is around 250 million tons per year and there is potential for much higher production while this country's estimated potential workable deposits of anthracite amount to six million tonnes and of semi-bituminous coal to five million tonnes.
Anthracite, which is the type of coal in the Leinster coalfield is not, under existing technology, regarded as a suitable fuel for electricity generation. The semi-bituminous coal of the Connaught coalfield is being used to generate electricity at Arigna and experiments in the combustion of low grade coal are at present in progress to determine whether more extensive use can be made of these deposits.
A recent meeting of the Council of Ministers approved a general framework regulation on the granting of financial support for demonstration projects to exploit alternative energy sources. The Council will be considering implementing regulations later this year. One such implementing regulation is expected to deal with gasification of coal, including underground gasification. The results of research carried out with such Community aid would be made available to all member states and could have implications for the use of Irish coal deposits which are difficult and costly to produce under existing methods of production.
I will, of course, avail of any opportunities which may arise to obtain Community support for the development of this country's coal resources.