With your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 103 together.
St. Patrick's Copper Mines have been kept on a care and maintenance basis since its closure in 1962 with a view to exploring the possibility of resumption of mining.
An option exercisable over a period of 30 months to purchase the assets of St. Patrick's Copper Mines Ltd. was granted on 16th September, 1966 to an international consortium. The consortium are carrying out a study of the mines' potential to enable them to decide on the feasibility of resuming mining operations. Under the agreement with the consortium they are entitled to explore, develop, diamond drill and do such other mining work as they consider advisable to ascertain the potential of the mines. At this stage it would be inappropriate for me to make any statement as to the prospect of the mines being re-opened.