Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. He is a big supporter of the proposed hydroelectric plant in Silvermines in County Tipperary. There has been mining in Silvermines for 1,000 years. What is left there can be turned into something very positive by the €500 million potential investment that will go into the hydroelectric plant. Unfortunately we also have a legacy issue there, which is environmentally hazardous and has caused issues in the past with regard to human health and is currently causing issues with regard to animal health. There are lands there in which millions have been invested. A compulsory purchase order process has been started in relation to the tailings pond in Gortmore. I ask the Minister to execute that order and that the State consider the compulsory purchase of the remaining lands, which are currently for sale and which I do not believe it is appropriate to be maintained in private ownership.

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