Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he plans to introduce compensation for people suffering health problems as a consequence of working in underground mines in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15455/08]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I have no plans to introduce a specific scheme to provide for compensation to people suffering health problems as a consequence of working in underground mines. While mining requires a State mining facility lease or licence under the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999, it is undertaken in this country by private enterprise. Accordingly any issue of compensation would be a matter between the relevant employees and their employers.

Former miners who suffer health problems as a consequence of working in underground mines may be entitled to disability or occupational injuries benefits under the social welfare code. It is now a standard condition of any mining lease or licence that the holder take out and maintain both employers' and public liability insurance for the duration of the term of the lease or licence. Employers are also required to comply with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am disappointed he is not prepared, or is indicating an unwillingness, to introduce a scheme for miners who kept the industry going during the so-called bad times and who now suffer from an extremely debilitating disease, pneumoconiosis, which affects their respiratory systems, particularly their lungs. A similar scheme was introduced in Europe, particularly in Britain by miners there, but they were stronger in numbers and had more power. We are ignoring them here. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan's party leader, expressed concern about human rights in Tibet but one does not have to go that far. The human rights of people in Ballingarry, Arigna and Castlecomer are being denied by this Government and have been denied by previous Governments. Last year, the Minister's former ministerial colleague indicated publicly on radio that the Government had settled on a compensation scheme for those miners, but an election came up. I call on the Minister to honour the commitment of his colleague who did a lot of work for this country and for the Minister's party. During the term of the previous Government, he said that a scheme was ready to be introduced. Why is the scheme not being delivered now? Why is the Minister ignoring the matter now that he is in a new Administration? I welcome the Minister's commitment to meet the miners. I would also like to hear the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan's comments on this matter as he is the Minister with responsibility for it. Is he prepared to introduce this scheme?

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Coonan is correct in saying that previous Ministers have grappled unsuccessfully with this matter. I am not familiar with whatever undertakings he is referring to prior to the election, but I am sure he will make that information available to me at some stage. The fundamental difference between the situation in this country and in the United Kingdom is that the British mining industry was nationalised. Clearly, in that instance, the government was de facto the miners' employer and ultimately responsible for whatever occupational ill health, including respiratory difficulties, they suffered from. If we want to progress this issue seriously I am more than happy to meet the people involved. It will be necessary, however, in conjunction with the Department of Social and Family Affairs to come up with an innovative scheme that will successfully ring-fence these people and distinguish them from others. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle will know, more than most, that quite a number of others suffer from workplace-related illnesses or disabilities. Ultimately, if there is to be success in this area, such an innovative approach will be required. I am more than happy to meet those involved and to discuss the matter with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply and I look forward to working on the matter with him. From a political viewpoint there is nothing to be gained from it for any of us, but it is important to look after the well-being and welfare of miners and their families. These were State mines. They were leased by the State to people who ran them for the State. In effect therefore it is not true to say that the State can wipe its hands of the matter. These people must be looked after.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I will certainly examine that element. There is a short time period within which the State had some responsibility in this regard — a more direct responsibility than employers in other instances. Unfortunately, if a solution is to be found on that narrow point, the information I have is that it would benefit no more than a handful of people, perhaps as few as two or three. Deputy Coonan and others who have raised this issue have a slightly larger number of people in mind.