asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what minerals have been discovered in County Galway; in what parts of the county they have been discovered; and what steps have been taken to work such deposits.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Mineral Deposits.
6.
The minerals which have been discovered from time to time in Co. Galway, and the localities in which they were discovered are recorded on the geological maps and summarised in a card index with some 200 entries related to this county alone which may be inspected at the Office of the Geological Survey in Hume Street, Dublin.
Information is also available in the Geological Survey Office publication "Memoir and Map of Localities of Minerals of Economic Importance and metalliferous Mines in Ireland" by G.A.J. Cole, which may be obtained from the Government Publications Sales Office. Some of the steps taken with a view to working the mineral deposits in Co. Galway are summarised in this publication mentioned.
In 1954 a detailed examination of the Murvey Molybdenite deposit was undertaken by the Geological Survey. Prospecting licences and State mining Leases have been granted from time to time under the Minerals Development Act, 1940, in respect of various mineral deposits. At present there are four State mining leases of marble deposits and two prospecting licences in respect of molybdenite deposits in operation in the county.
Can the Minister say if there were any additions to this list of late?
I have given the present position with regard to operations; there are four State mining leases in respect of marble deposits and two prospecting leases in respect of molybdenite deposits. That is the present degree of activity.