Phil Hogan
Ceist:69 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Energy his plans in relation to the development of the Slieveardagh coal field in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Slievedaragh (Tipperary) Coalfield.
At present one company holds a State mining lease in the Slieveardagh coalfield. Since the lease was granted the company in question has experienced some technical difficulties as a consequence of which it has been unable to bring the mine into sustained production. My Department has recently had discussions with the company in relation to its future operations and, as a result, it is expected to submit new proposals for operational programmes in the coalfield shortly.
A competition will also be held before the end of the year opening up the remaining areas of the coalfield not covered by existing State facilities for prospecting and mining applications. I am very hopeful that positive proposals for developments in the coalfield will result from this competition.