Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask the Taoiseach about the geothermal energy development Bill, which has been stalled now for a number of years. Given all the debate about energy over the past number of weeks, the advancement of this Bill should be addressed.

I live in a town in which mining is one of the largest employers. More than 600 people are employed in Tara Mines, which is the largest zinc mine in Europe. The former Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Pat Rabbitte, had discussed plans for a multi-million euro geothermal energy project for Navan backed by Tara Mines. We have heard no more about that project. Zinc is a finite resource and will run out over the next decade or two. Suddenly hundreds of families will be left without employment, including 600 families connected to that mine. I am sure the Taoiseach would agree with me that starting a conversation now about having alternatives in place before we reach the cliff edge is more favourable than standing outside the gates of a closed mine when the inevitable happens, and that advancing those alternative energy generators and employment options deserves to be spoken about in this Chamber. We should have that conversation now.

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