In April I raised the issue of Tara Mines being under serious pressure in terms of costs. There are obviously a range of issues putting the 2,000 jobs in Meath under pressure and we do not have any control over many of these issues. However, there is one element the Government has significant control over and that is the cost of electricity. Electricity is the second highest cost that Tara Mines has and that it is dealing with. The cost of electricity in Ireland is the highest in the whole of the European Union. It is now double the average per unit price in the European Union. In Sweden, mines with similar cost bases to Tara Mines are functioning. The key difference is they have lower energy costs and they are still functioning. Energy companies have been profiteering in this country for well over a year. The ESB doubled its profits to more than €800 million last year, literally winning the lottery every day in terms of profits. The ideology of the Green Party is to keep electricity prices high so as to reduce consumption.

I thank the Deputy. His time is up.

I urge the Minister. This is really serious. These are 2,000 really important jobs in Meath.

Please, Deputy, your time is up.

Will the Minister do his best to lower energy costs and meet the workers and factory managers to keep Tara Mines open?

It is of course a really serious issue for the workers and their families. That is why the Ministers, Deputies Coveney and McEntee, met the company on Tuesday, 13 June. The Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and Senator Shane Cassells visited the mines yesterday and I can inform the Deputy that the Minister, Deputy Coveney, who has come back from a trade mission in France, will meet the management of Tara Mines again.

Actions.

Éist liom nóiméad amháin. The really important thing that has been confirmed is that, according to the company, the closure is temporary. Second, it is not due to the energy prices, and the company has confirmed that.

No, that is not the case.

Please, let the Minister answer.

I do not know whether Deputy Tóibín has gone out to the mines.

I have spoken to the management.

I am aware other colleagues in the Deputy's constituency have been out to Tara Mines and have met people and with management and staff directly and have got the facts of the matter. Our main concern is trying to work for those 650 workers and families to make sure we can help them through this very difficult time-----

The Minister's time is up.

-----and have the mine reopened as quickly as possible. It is a private enterprise though. The Deputy will be aware of zinc prices as well but the Government is doing everything it can to assist.