Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timeframe for the completion of the remediation of mines (details supplied). [28034/08]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Questions 428 and 429 of 4th June 2008, Planning Permission was granted by North Tipperary County Council (NTCC) on 17th September 2007, for the rehabilitation work at the Gortmore Tailings Management Facility. A tender notice was advertised in the EU Journal on 21st January 2008, following which seven companies were short-listed and invited to submit a tender for the first phase of the rehabilitation works. Tenders were received from all seven companies on 21st April 2008 and subsequently assessed by the consultants employed by NTCC to design and supervise the project. On 21st May 2008, the Department authorised NTCC to issue a letter of intention to accept the tender of a construction firm for the first phase of the remediation works at the Gortmore site, at Silvermines, subject to the contractor producing insurances, bond and tax clearance. It is expected that works will commence on site in the next week. This complex project is being carried out on a phased basis and these initial works are planned to be completed in October 2008. The works planned for 2009 and 2010 at the Gortmore site include further capping and associated works as well as vegetation and upgrading of wetland areas.