Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I thought my reply was quite clear and I apologise if it was not the response the Deputy was hoping to receive. A group to lobby on behalf of former coal miners was established recently and launched a public campaign to seek compensation for those who had suffered illness, injury, disability or a deterioration of their physical as a result of employment in the mines. The three locations specified by the group in question were the mines at Arigna in County Roscommon and Deerpark in County Kilkenny and the Ballingarry-Slieveardagh coalfield in County Tipperary.

The Deputy referred to the functions of the State. The functions of the mines inspectorate are carried out by the Health and Safety Authority. The person with responsibility in this area was identified under the Mines and Quarries Act 1965 as the Minister for Industry and Commerce. The functions of said Minister devolved to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and not, as is frequently claimed, to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The fact that the State was involved in providing licences does not mean that it should automatically pick up the tab for difficulties that have arisen in respect of the health of the workers to whom the Deputy refers.

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