Vol. 2 No. 4
In accordance with Standing Order 79(b) the following message will be sent to the Clerk of the Dáil:
The Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has considered the Minerals Development Bill, 1999, and has made no amendment thereto.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Report agreed to.
Ordered to report to the Dáil accordingly.
I made some general observations to the Minister before the meeting. His officials might bear in mind that a constraint on future mineral development may arise if we have another instance like the Lisheen mine. The Minister may not be able to influence the matter but he should take it into consideration. If a rail line is convenient to the location of a mine it would be sound policy to use it to transport ore to the ports. Heavy trucks are being used to transport ore from Lisheen to Tivoli in Cork, where it is being stored. If we reduce this issue to sheer economic logic, the advantages of transport by truck will always outweigh those of rail transport. However, from the viewpoint of the environment and local government trucks create a lot of damage. In Lisheen and many other cases it would be quite possible to provide a spur rail line and if we find another lead and zinc mine the Minister should take this into consideration.
In the last few weeks the media has focused on the threat to 630 jobs at Tara Mines. The Minister may have nothing to add and I know the matter is with the Labour Relations Commission——
Deputy, I do not think we can go that far.
I think the Minister was anxious to respond when I indicated beforehand and he said he would bring me up to date. I was ruled out of order when I raised the matter on yesterday's Order of Business. I am sure Deputy Brady is interested in it.
I wish to be associated with Deputy Finucane's request on Tara Mines. We are concerned about the threat to so many jobs and it is worrying not only for County Meath but for counties Cavan, Westmeath and Louth. It is important that everything that can be done will be done and I know the Minister and his officials will not be found wanting in their attempts to keep the mine open.
I also support Deputy Finucane's remarks about rail links. The line from Kingscourt to Drogheda port via Navan has been used by Tara Mines since it opened, and but for it an enormous number of trucks would be travelling on the Navan-Drogheda road. It is important that rail links are available near mines.
In the past, when we were not perhaps as conscious of our planning laws, Mogul and other companies used rail lines to transport ore, which was very effective.
With regard to the Tara Mines dispute, neither the company nor the unions has yet given its response to the Labour Court recommendation. Consequently, it would not be appropriate to make any comment other than to say that I hope the two sides can come together on the Labour Court proposal which involved a three month trial period. That is being considered and I look forward to the outcome. We cannot comment too much at this time.
Tara Mines has been our most important mine, providing tremendous employment over the years. Lisheen and Galmoy mines have been added to this and have built up mining considerably. When fully operational, Irish purchases by the three main mines will be worth over £40 million a year. A great deal of that will be spent in the local economies. Apart from the employment given by the mines, the purchases lead to further employment and involvement. The local communities give good support to the mines and recognise their value to the local area. The unions, management and I know that matters are difficult on the international stage but I hope the present difficulties can be resolved.
I have a keen interest in the use and availability of rail infrastructure. I agree with the Deputy that as far as possible it should be used. As Deputy Finucane has suggested, the matter will be taken up with the Ministers for the Environment and Local Government and Public Enterprise. An access and intermodal study is being carried out from the point of view of shipping and ports. In conjunction with the study there is the issue of the rail transport of heavy goods. As Deputies will be aware, 95 per cent of the volume of our production and trade goes through the ports. With the growth in the economy there is a rapid increase in the volume of trade and business and we are considering the question of access to ports and the intermodal links between rail and other services, so that the roads are not cluttered with container trucks. Where possible other modes should be used. The study is due to be completed in a couple of months. I will raise this issue in that connection and will take it up with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, as suggested by Deputy Finucane and supported by Deputy Brady.
Thank you, Minister.
