asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will have an investigation of the potential value of the north Clare phosphate mines undertaken with a view to re-opening them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clare Mineral Deposits.
28.
I am already having such an investigation carried out.
Will this be done in the near future?
The original examination was undertaken at the time the extraordinary rises in the price of North African phosphate took place. I expect to have it in the very near future.
The Minister is aware of what was discovered there during the last war?
Would the Minister have any particulars of the extent of the deposits or the area of rock there?
I have a figure of one-and-a-half million tons which seems rather small in relation to our requirements. I do not have details of the geological structure.
Is the Minister aware that with bad equipment previously they discovered that there was an estimated 10 million tons between Kilfenora and Doolin with just ordinary borings?
Question No. 29.