SIPTU seeks clarity from Eamon Ryan on renewal of drilling licence at Tara Mines

SIPTU representatives have called for an urgent meeting with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, to seek clarity on the renewal of a drilling licence necessary for the operation at Tara Mines. SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “At a meeting with Tara Mines management last week, we were informed of the financial pressures it was experiencing in relation to its operation. In the opinion of our members, these include the failure of the Geoscience Regulation Office to issue a renewal drilling licence for an area of the mine’s operation, which has been outstanding since December 2022. Such a delay in renewing this licence has not been experienced in the more than forty years that the mine has been operating.  “We have written to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, under whose remit the Geoscience Regulation Office operates to request an urgent meeting to discuss this matter.  “At our meeting with Tara Mines management, we were informed that the Government had refused New Boliden, the company which operates the mine, access to an EU fund established to support companies in difficulties due to the cost of energy. The company was informed that it did not qualify due its involvement in resource extraction.” He added: “In light of these pressures the company has commissioned an independent study into the mine’s operations which is expected to be completed later this year.” SIPTU Organiser, Andrew McGuinness, said: “SIPTU representatives have called union members employed at Tara Mines to a general meeting in the Newgrange Hotel in Navan, county Meath, on Monday, 15th May.   “At the meeting we will appraise our members of the seriousness of the pressures the mine is under and seek a mandate from them on a course of action to assist in safeguarding its future operations which still have the potential to provide several decades of employment.” He added: “Our members will also be calling on local elected representatives to highlight the issues concerning licensing and access to financial assistance the mines have experienced in every forum possible.”