asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether representations have reached him regarding the alleged proposal to suspend work on the phosphate deposits in County Clare; and, if so, what action, if any, he contemplates taking.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clare Phosphate Deposits.
For some time past I have had under consideration the policy to be followed in regard to the Clare phosphate deposits when normal conditions of supply obtain, and other Government Departments concerned are being consulted. No decision on the matter has yet been reached.
Are we to understand that full working on the deposits will continue pending that decision or is there any proposal to restrict operations now?
No decision on the matter has yet been reached.
I have been told by interested persons that operations on those deposits have already been reduced and that men are being dismissed. I wanted to inquire from the Minister if it was his policy to encourage full exploitation of the deposits for the present or if he had indicated that it is now a matter of indifference to him whether they are fully exploited or not?
It is not easy to answer that question briefly. In some areas, the deposits have been exhausted. In any event, the extent to which it is possible to use Clare phosphate rock in an admixture with imported phosphate rock is determined by a number of circumstances. It is not merely a matter of deciding the extent to which Clare phosphate rock will be used. The quantity which can be used is dependent on productive capacity and the supply of imported rock available.
I take it then that it is the mixing of the imported rock with the domestic rock creates one of the difficulties. If that is so, will the Minister consider directing the manufacturers to manufacture two separate articles—(1) from the foreign rock and (2) from the domestic rock—and requiring persons distributing that commodity to take a quota of each product—(1) the highly soluble foreign product and (2) a fair proportion of the less soluble home product?
The superphosphate fertiliser which is being produced is of standard quality. The Deputy may be assured that the full productive capacity of the undertaking is being utilised and will be utilised.
It was stated in the Clare newspapers that 150 persons who had been employed in mining those rock deposits had been paid off. In view of the fact that the Minister does not appear to have arrived at any definite decision as to the future of this phosphatic rock, will he arrange with the Mineral Company that the services of employees will not be dispensed with until such time as a definite decision will have been arrived at?
My information was that 350 men had been disemployed.
The number of men employed must be determined by the operations of the company. What has happened is that portion of the area in which rock was being quarried is exhausted. There is no more rock and men cannot be employed if there is no work for them.
It is alleged that work was discontinued precipitately and that men are now employed filling in the site on which they had been previously working for rock. Will the Minister read the letter on the subject from the Bishop of Galway which appeared in, I think, last week's issue of the Clare Champion, in which he will see that grave fears are expressed as to the future of the Clare phosphate industry?
It is quite obvious that, if men are engaged in clearing up the site, work was not stopped precipitately.