Dáil debates

Wednesday, 18 October 2006

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage

 

6:00 pm

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 3, line 9, before "AND" to insert the following:

", TO PROVIDE FOR THE TREATMENT OF LANDS AFFECTED BY MINES AND FORMER MINES BY THE REHABILITATION OF SUCH LANDS AND FOR THE COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF LANDS FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUCH REHABILITATION".

The proposed amendments are required to give effect to a Government decision of 28 June 2005. It was decided the State would assume responsibility for the rehabilitation of former mine sites at Silvermines, County Tipperary at an estimated cost of €10.6 million over a four-year period. North Tipperary County Council has agreed to undertake the rehabilitation works operating as an agent on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. Funding and overall responsibility for the project remain with the Minister.

The purpose of the proposed amendments is to give the Minister, and his or her agents, powers to prepare and revise a mine remediation plan and allow for consultation with stakeholders on any mine plan. The Minister will have the power to advance funds from mine remediation plans, appoint a local authority as his or her agent to carry out a mine rehabilitation plan and give the Minister, or his or her agent, powers of entry to relevant lands to carry out or implement a mine rehabilitation plan. The Minister, and his or her agents, will have the power to compulsorily acquire lands for rehabilitation and discretionary power to recover State expenditure on rehabilitated lands.

Amendment No. 4 reflects the changes to the Bill brought about by these provisions. They have been long sought and will be welcomed by Members on all sides of the House.

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