asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards have submitted a final report to him regarding the possible industrial uses of kelp and seaweed, and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kelp and Seaweed Uses.
Investigations into the possible industrial uses of kelp and seaweed were undertaken by the Industrial Research Council, and subsequently by the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards, and the question of publishing a comprehensive report of these researches has been under consideration by the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards. Summaries of the results obtained from the programme of research in regard to the industrial application of kelp and seaweed have been published in the annual reports of the Industrial Research Council for the years 1934-1946, while references to subsequent research work are contained in the annual reports of the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards. In the circumstances, the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards have not felt it necessary to publish a separate comprehensive report of the investigations. The Industrial Development Authority is keeping under constant review the question of utilising seaweed and its derivatives for industrial purposes.