Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I met with the trade unions that represent Tara Mines workers on the 17th January and discussed the Government's commitment to doing everything it can to assist in reopening the mine on a sustainable basis. This includes making available the industrial relations machinery of the State and in this respect discussions are ongoing between the management and unions facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission.

The objective for all parties is to arrive at a position where a sustainable resumption of operations at the mine is possible and the process at the Workplace Relations Commission is crucial to achieving this objective. It is important that government respects this process.

During the meeting, I reiterated that the Government is committed to providing all possible assistance to facilitate an early reopening of the mine. Relevant Departments and agencies will continue to engage on supports that can assist with an accelerated and sustainable resumption of operations.

The Government, in recognition of the strategic importance of mining in Ireland, has agreed that, subject to the sustainable resumption of activities at Tara Mines, officials will explore the possibility of supports to incentivise longer term investment in the potential Tara Deep project by Boliden Tara Mines