Vol. 439 No. 1
19 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the plans, if any, he has to introduce grants for mining for coal and anthracite in this country; his views on the provision of home-produced coal and anthracite as a suitable alternative to imports; and if he will give his views on the matter.
We have no plans, to introduce grants for the mining of coal and anthracite. The provision of home produced coal and anthracite in this country could be a suitable alternative to imports, provided it is of suitable quality and can be produced competitively. Our coal seams, however, are reasonably thin, which makes them relatively expensive, to mine. They are also of variable quality and much of the anthracite in particular, is high in sulphur. Opportunities for import substitution are thus limited.
