asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will indicate the extent of the investigations carried out at (a) Arigna and Slieveanierin and (b) Slieve Ardagh, the result of the borings and analyses, and whether the reports regarding these operations will be made available to the public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Report of French Experts on Mineral Resources at Arigna and Slieveanierin and Slieve Ardagh.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will now publish the report of the French experts employed by the Government to investigate the mineral resources of the Arigna district, and, if not, what are the objections to such publication.
I propose to answer questions Nos. 18 and 19 together. Five bore holes were sunk and four galleries cut out to obtain information concerning the Arigna and Slieveanierin mineral deposits. The operations have concluded and the contractor's report is under examination in my Department. A decision has not yet been taken as to whether the report should be made available and in the meantime I prefer not to indicate the results of the borings or the analyses of the minerals. At Slieve Ardagh six bore holes have been or are in course of being sunk and one small experimental shaft has been opened to obtain information concerning the coal deposits. The work is proceeding and I do not expect to receive the report of the consulting engineers for some time.
How long has the report been under consideration by the Minister's Department?
For about six months.
Why is there such a deep and dark mystery about it?
There is no mystery at all about it. The report does affect certain private interests, and we have to consider the reaction on these interests by its publication.