asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that early in 1960 a survey of the Caherdaniel copper mines was made by a number of unknown men who staked about three square miles of the area; if he will state who they were and whom they represented; and what are the prospects that these mines will be opened up and worked in the near future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Caherdaniel Copper Mines.
25.
A prospecting licence over an area of 5 square miles in town-lands adjacent to Caherdaniel, Co. Kerry, was granted by me in November, 1959, to Irish Base Metals, Ltd., Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. Representatives of the Company have explored for minerals in the licence area and I assume that these are the persons referred to in the Question. The Company have made no statement about the possibility of opening or working a mine in the area, but I understand that they are still at an early stage of prospecting.