asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the present position in regard to the development of phosphate mining in North Clare.
Written Answers. - North Clare Mining.
471.
In reply to a previous question on 17 December 1980, my predecessor informed the Deputy that a report furnished by consultants, who were engaged to assess the economic viablity of the phosphate deposit, indicated that some four million tons of phosphate rock, spread over four separate locations, has been delineated in North Clare. However, the deposits are of relatively low grade ore and the consultants have advised that the anticipated revenues from the sale of the material, relative to extraction costs, would not be such as to enable the deposits to be developed on a viable basis for industrial usage, such as in chemical or fertiliser manufacture.
While some longterm experimentation on the possible use of North Clare phosphate in rapid tree growth is in progress, further direct State involvement in exploring the North Clare phosphates is not warranted in the circumstances outlined above.
The question of further exploration work in the area by private interests has been pursued over the past year. The response to date has not been encouraging.