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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Mar 1981

Vol. 328 No. 1

Written Answers. - EEC Mineral Reserves.

371.

andMr. Bruton asked the Minister for Energy the percentage of the known reserves in the EEC of uranium, lithium and deuterium located in Ireland.

Whilst uranium mineralisation in minor quantities has been identified in certain parts of the country it is not possible to say at this stage whether deposits warranting commercial development will be located.

As I indicated in reply to a previous question by the Deputies on 19 February 1981 occurrences of the mineral lithium have been discovered near Tullow, County Carlow, but further exploratory work would be necessary to establish the full extent of this mineralisation.

Deuterium is a naturally occurring form of hydrogen. It occurs in all natural water in the ratio of about 1:6,000. Deuterium can be extracted from any water and is therefore accessible to any country requiring supplies of it.

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