Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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574. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will address the issues associated with unused mines in the Silvermines area of County Tipperary; if he will address the ownership of the mine at Shalee, County Tipperary which is for sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21922/17]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Since 2007, my Department in co-operation with Tipperary County Council has undertaken an extensive programme of remediation works at a number of former mining sites at Silvermines, Co. Tipperary with expenditure on the works totalling €11.2 million to date. The last substantive phase of the programme of remediation works to be completed is the work at the Garryard site. Progression of this phase of the programme is under consideration by my Department.

The Gortmore Tailings Management Facility was the largest site remediated at a cost of approximately €6 million.  This work included drawing up proposals for its future maintenance having regard to the protection of the integrity of the work carried out. Since a negotiated approach with the landowner proved unsuccessful, arrangements were commenced for acquisition of the site by Compulsory Purchase Order, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This process stalled following the untimely death of the land owner and following the advice of the CSSO it was agreed to negotiate with the family of the landowner. This negotiation process is ongoing.

Environmental monitoring of the Silvermines sites has been undertaken for the Department by CDM Smith Ireland Ltd since 2013. The purpose of such monitoring is to ensure no significant change in the conditions occurs at the remediation sites without detection.

An Inter-Agency Group has recently been established to investigate recent unexplained cattle deaths and the presence of elevated metal levels in milk from farms in the area.  The Inter-Agency Group is led by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine with participation from my Department along with other relevant state agencies. The findings of the Inter-Agency Group will help inform decisions in respect of remediation efforts at the former mining sites at Silvermines.

I am aware that lands are currently being offered for sale at Shallee in the Silvermines area. My Department has no plans to acquire these lands.