Vol. 577 No. 4
64 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to the document served on former operators of the Silvermines facility in County Tipperary, specifying the remedial work to be carried out at the dried out tailings pond at the mine site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31268/03]
A further revision of the plan for remediation of the tailings pond was lodged with North Tipperary County Council by the mining company's agent in late November. The Department has furnished comments on the plan which is being evaluated by the local authority.
Regarding rehabilitation of the other sites, the Department met the operating company on 10 November and requested more specific proposals together with firm timescales and information on sources of funding. The company supplied a less than complete reply on 28 November and the Department wrote again to the company on 9 December seeking more detailed information, particularly on the question of funding the required works. Officials of the Department also met members of the local community on the site of Gortmore tailings pond on 27 November.
