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Dáil Éireann - Volume 95 - 19 October, 1944 Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Rossmore and Wolfhill Collieries. Mr. Coogan Mr. Coogan Mr. Coogan: asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that large quantities of coal are accumulating at Rossmore and Wolfhill Collieries and that this coal is exposed to the weather and deteriorating; that persons who are in grave want of coal for fuel for industry or private consumption are unable to get any of this coal because of the failure or refusal of his Department to issue licences; that because of the great accumulations of coal at both collieries hundreds of miners have been laid off; and if he will state what steps he proposes to take to remedy this grave situation at once. Minister for Supplies (Mr. Lemass) Seán F. Lemass 349 Minister for Supplies (Mr. Lemass): As indicated in my recent reply to a similar question, I cannot understand why any accumulation of stocks should have taken place at these mines, having regard to the extent to which coal purchase permits have been issued by my Department. The suggestion in the Deputy's question that the difficulties experienced in disposing of their output by these collieries are attributable to the non-issue of permits on an adequate scale is refuted by the most recent information [349] received from the Mines Management, which is to the effect that orders had been received for all large and sized coal on offer at both the Wolfhill and Rossmore mines. Mr. Coogan Mr. Coogan Mr. Coogan: Could the Minister say why applications for licences were not answered by his Department? Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass: Applications for licences for what? Mr. Coogan Mr. Coogan Mr. Coogan: For anthracite. Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass: Were not answered? Mr. Coogan Mr. Coogan Mr. Coogan: Yes. Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass: I am not aware that that happened. Mr. Coogan Mr. Coogan Mr. Coogan: Is the Minister not aware that the company had to advertise in the daily papers that they had coal for sale subject to licences for this particular coal? Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass: On a previous occasion I suggested that that was the proper method to be adopted by the company to get customers for their coal. Mr. Hughes Mr. Hughes Mr. Hughes: Is the Minister suggesting that the output is not in excess of the permits issued? Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass: I am suggesting that the permits are substantially in excess of the available supply of coal. Mr. Hughes Mr. Hughes Mr. Hughes: The Minister is aware that stocks have accumulated—— Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass: I am aware that stocks are much lower now than they were some time ago. Mr. Hughes Mr. Hughes Mr. Hughes: And that they have had to be dumped in the fields? Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass: I am aware that stocks of this coal are substantially lower at present than at the beginning of the year. Dáil Éireann 95 Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. Rossmore and Wolfhill Collieries. Questions 19441019
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