asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (1) if his Department conducted investigations regarding the slate deposit at Broadford, County Clare; (2) if the result of these investigations have been communicated to him; (3) what is the position at the moment as to the possibility of opening the Broadford quarries, having in mind the great difficulty of procuring sufficient slate from other quarries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clare Slate Quarries.
The development of these slate deposits is a matter for private enterprise. My Department has been prepared on three occasions, in 1932, 1933 and 1934, to contribute towards an investigation of them. Only in 1934 did matters progress to the point that operations were actually commenced. The investigation was not completed, as it was ultimately found necessary to withdraw the contribution early in 1935.
Can the Minister indicate whether the value of the deposits would justify the investment of private capital?
These deposits are in private ownership.
Has the Minister made any investigations as to the value of the deposits?
No. As I have already informed the Deputy I was prepared on three occasions to make grants for the purpose of enabling an investigation of these deposits to be made. In 1932 an offer was made to a company operating another slate quarry in the neighbourhood, but that company was unable to come to terms with the owner. In 1933 an offer was made to a committee to contribute towards this investigation. Finally, in 1934, a committee was formed with which the owner was associated and a grant was made subject to certain conditions as to the particular persons to be employed and other conditions of that kind but after some portion of the grant had been expended the balance had to be withdrawn because these conditions were not being observed.