Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 5: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures his Department will take to address the rehabilitation of the Silvermines area following extensive mining in the past and the significant continuing pollution and health risks that remain of concern to the people in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21648/08]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has agreed to fund, through the Vote of my Department, the rehabilitation of the abandoned mine sites at Silvermines, County Tipperary. North Tipperary County Council agreed to act as agents in this matter and I am happy to continue with this arrangement.

In 2006, following a competitive tendering process, North Tipperary County Council appointed Golder Associates to finalise the design and manage the implementation of the rehabilitation programme as set out in earlier conceptual plans. The initial focus of the rehabilitation project at Silvermines is being placed on those sites that contain hazardous waste, Gortmore Tailings Management Facility and the waste facility at Garryard.

Planning permission was granted by North Tipperary County Council on 17 September 2007 for the design of rehabilitation work at the Gortmore Tailings Management Facility. A tender notice was advertised in the EU Journal on 21 January this year, following which seven companies were shortlisted and invited to submit a tender for the first phase of the rehabilitation works. Tenders were received from all seven companies on 21 April 2008 and subsequently assessed by Golder Associates. On 21 May 2008, my Department authorised North Tipperary County Council to issue a letter of intention to accept the tender of a construction firm for the first phase of the remediation works at Gortmore at Silvermines. I understand that this letter was issued by the council on 22 May and it is expected that works will commence on site in June, subject to the contractor producing insurances, bond and tax clearance.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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I wish the Minister of State well in this Department. I welcome what has been announced for the Silvermines area, but the local people are disappointed that this is only a patching exercise. I understand that less than €2 million is being spent on a part of the site. There are six sites in total. The Minister mentioned two. The other four are Shallee, Gorteenadiha, Ballygowan and Magcobar. Will the Minister of State reaffirm the Government's commitment to the rehabilitation of the Silvermines Mogul sites and confirm that the necessary resources will be made available in the coming years? Will the Minister of State outline the funding which will be made available in 2009 and 2010 and the works which will be carried out?

The people of this area have been waiting for 26 years for this development. Before last year's election, a commitment of €10.6 million was made for the rehabilitation of Silvermines. There is a huge difference between €2 million and €10.6 million.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I am delighted to hear the Deputy's welcome for the decision to proceed with this work. This is a complex project and, for that reason, it is being carried out on a phased basis.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister of State give the commitment?

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The money has been provided and the works will start in June next. It is intended that the initial works will be completed by October. Further works are scheduled to take place in 2009 and 2010. It will be necessary to obtain a waste licence from the Environmental Protection Agency for the planned storage of hazardous waste at the Garryard site. This is a complex matter which is being actively pursued by the project team. It is expected that an application will be made for this purpose in the very near future.

Work is also continuing on finalising the detailed designs for the other sites to be rehabilitated at Silvermines. In addition, essential conservation works are being carried out on the historic mine structures at Ballygowan and Shallee. That money was made available and the Government has shown its commitment by providing €10.6 million for the work at Silvermines. I realise the threat it presents——

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Where is the money? Why is it not being spent?

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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This is a complex project and must be dealt with on a phased basis. It is not something that can be done overnight. I appreciate that the people of the area have been waiting some time for it. However, the money has been provided, a Government decision made and work is starting. Deputy Coonan will not have to wait long before seeing the real commitment——

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Not according to the RSK report.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Unfortunately, I cannot turn back the clock. We are keen to have this work proceed. The money has been provided and work will begin on the site next month.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Coonan, do you wish to ask a short supplementary question?

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister of State confirm that the complete works, as outlined in the RSK report which has been accepted by the Department and the County Council, will be carried out, even on a phased basis over the next two or three years, and that the funds will be made available?

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has already accepted the need to carry out rehabilitation works to make the site safe. It cannot be allowed to continue in its current state. We have already provided funds to make the site safer and those works are already in progress. They will be carried out on a phased basis.

The Government previously committed more than €10 million to this project. It will cost more. However, it is our intention to provide the necessary funds to ensure that the works are carried out on a phased basis. Some of those works will begin in June of this year. A figure of €2 million has been provided for that work. The other works which need to be done will take place in 2009 and 2010.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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I hope that is a definite "Yes".