asked the Minister for Energy if he will undertake the development of the Leinster coalfields, in particular the mines at Rossmore and Slatt be included as a State or Joint Venture Job Creation Project under the terms of the Programme for National Recovery; the necessary qualified mine management personnel to be recruited directly by the State, in the United Kingdom if necessary.
Written Answers. - Leinster Coalfields Development.
77.
Prospecting licences have been issued or are in process of issue to private commercial interests in respect of the northern and central parts of the Leinster coalfield, apart from the Rossmore underground mine in which no interest has been shown. The southern part of the coalfield is regarded as having less potential than the rest of the coalfield for the delineation of exploitable coal reserves, but I am taking steps to encourage private interest also in that part of the coalfield. In the circumstances I do not think it is necessary to consider the question of direct State involvement.