asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the output of raw phosphate rock mined in County Clare and used for this season's requirements; (b) its solubility for manufacture into superphosphate as compared with North African rock; (c) the present weekly output of raw phosphate rock in County Clare; (d) the total estimated output to meet our agricultural requirements for next season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Clare Phosphates.
The greater part of the known reserves of phosphate rock in Co. Clare is in the possession of private interests. The deposits at present worked are mainly held under a State lease, and the last statutory return shows that from the deposits covered by the State lease the lessee extracted 3,218 tons in the six months' period ended 31st March, 1941. It is understood that the fertiliser manufacturers had made a contract for the supply of about 300 tons per week. I am not in a position to state the precise quantities from the Clare deposits used for this season's requirements, or the production from that part of the deposits not held under a State lease.
The importation of phosphate rock in pre-war years was about 80,000-90,000 tons per annum. On this basis, a greater quantity would be needed now in view of increased tillage. The Clare rock is lower in phosphatic content, and is less suitable for conversion into superphosphate than the rock usually imported. For these reasons, if no material comes from abroad, it has been estimated that as much as 150,000 to 200,000 tons of rock from County Clare may be needed to meet our agricultural requirements fully for next season.
I do not know whether the Minister realises the importance of this matter and I should like to know what is being done at present. Is there a progressive increase in the output here? The summer is rapidly passing and, if something is not done, we shall be without artificial manures next year. Does the Minister realise the importance of artificial manure to agricultural production? Does he realise that, if we have to increase our tillage operations next year and if we are short of artificial manures, the results will be very bad? Does he not realise the necessity of having this matter pushed ahead and of getting the maximum output before it is too late?
Perhaps the Deputy would put a second question, when I might carry the answer a little further? I do not think I could deal with all the supplementary questions he has put now.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will say when he expects the mining company that he proposes to set up under the Minerals Exploration and Development Company Act, 1941, will be in a position to develop the Clare phosphates for next season's requirements.
The company authorised to be set up under the Minerals Exploration and Development Act, 1941, will be registered at an early date. When it has been registered the board of the company will be asked to give immediate consideration to the matter raised in the Deputy's question.