With regard to the Estimate, the position is that this French group made proposals to the Minister for Industry and Commerce regarding this present exploration scheme. There was no competition, if such it may be called, from other firms. As far as native experts are concerned I fear that at the present time, while we may have individual experts, we have not an organised company or body or group capable of carrying out work on this scale. I am sure that the Minister did what he could to get information as to whether native experts were available. There is a difference, however, between a geological survey and the actual boring operations now proposed. Up to the present in regard to the various coal fields that have been mentioned, geological surveys have been carried out but the Government are interested in the definite economic question as to whether the minerals are there in such quantity and quality as to make it feasible to develop them commercially. If you take up the position that it is the Government's policy to continue to spend money when a survey does not show that the thing is a reasonable, feasible proposition commercially, I would be inclined to disagree.
I think that the Government, as far as the provision of employment and development of our resources are concerned, will always have sufficient schemes at hand within its financial resources, to turn its attention to. Where it is clearly and unmistakably not an economic proposition to proceed further with the development of mines, it is a question that would have to be very fully argued in regard to each particular case. In the particular case here, this company made certain proposals to the Minister. These proposals are now being embodied in the form of a definite contract. The Minister will also have power to see that a definite plan of work is laid out in advance, and in that way that the State will get full value for the money expended. In a matter of this character it is for the Minister to see that the interests of the State are safeguarded as fully as possible. In addition, he will see the plan of work and he will satisfy himself that there is no danger of the money provided being expended, before the full programme is carried out. The Minister will also have power to send his own officers to associate themselves with the actual survey on the spot and to see how the work will be carried out.
If I mentioned that two-thirds of the money, roughly, was spent upon boring machinery I made a mistake. What I intended to say was that, roughly, two-thirds of the money will be spent on boring work. One portion of the money under that head will be for the transport and setting up of the plant. Another portion will be for the payment of wages, insurance, light and so on, and the various expenses in those matters. The French experts will make their own arrangements. They may have sub-contracts in connection with the provision of the machinery, or they may provide the machinery themselves. Full enquiries have been made with regard to the standing of the firm, and the Government are fully satisfied that it is, in every way, reputable, and in every way competent to carry out this work.
I should explain that with regard to the general question of mineral exploration this is not necessarily part of the larger scheme and the Government do not commit themselves, in any way, when the present survey is complete, to carry the work further unless they have power to do so. I cannot state at this juncture whether the Government should proceed or not or what further steps they would take. I think before we can proceed to discuss this matter satisfactorily we should have definite reports, plans, maps, and so on, of those experts and very definite information as to possibilities. The fact that the State has undertaken this work and has not waited for private enterprise to do it, shows that if in a particular case we are satisfied on general national grounds it would be of help to the people in certain districts, for example, to provide employment, that certain propositions should be carried out and money spent, we are always prepared to assist them. But I could not say that the Government are going to embark on a general policy of mineral exploration, at least, until the question is examined much more carefully.
Deputy Davin, and others, raised the question of coal mines. I think the wisest course on the Minister's part is to see what can be done in those particular cases. This is one of the largest coal fields in the country, and one of the most important. Undoubtedly, it would be a very big matter for the country if we could accumulate a supply of coal and assure ourselves that the development of iron ore in the district was practicable. Perhaps, at a later stage, the Minister would consider the question of carrying out similar explorations in other areas. It is a fascinating subject and has been for many years. There is hardly a county, or parish, in the country that would not come along and say we have a coal mine, or some other mineral, in our district. Why not develop it? Last year provision was made and a grant of £500 was given in a particular case in connection with the development of quarries and mines, and a great deal has resulted, but it is a question that cannot be solved overnight. The question has to be examined a great deal more fully than we have been able to do up to the present. A great deal will depend upon the result of the present investigation.
Deputy Fitzgerald asked as to the provision under Article XI of the Constitution. As to the question of what further steps can be taken the decision there will be postponed until the report of the experts is in the hands of the Government. It has also been said that this money could, perhaps, have been more usefully spent in giving subsidies to the owners of the existing mines in order to help them to bring themselves up-to-date. I fear any subsidy we could give, when one considers the limitations of carrying out the work in these mines from a Government Department, would be small. The fact is that at present these mines are carried on by private individuals and, while I admit that the winning of coal will always be an ugly job and a dangerous job, I know in one mine or two machinery has been installed in order to enable the company to cope with the recent demand for their product. In that connection, if I am not out of order, I would suggest that a great deal of this might be done without Government intervention, if we could get our people to purchase the home product even where superficially it seems to be less economical or attractive. After this inquiry it may be found that with a little trouble, and perhaps cost, the home coal will be found to be as good as the imported article.
Deputy Norton tried to inveigle me into a discussion as to what the policy of the Government is in this matter. Up to the present we have made provision for this exploration, and service, and as far as I know, owners of mines and quarries that have come to the Government have been assisted as far as possible. But I must again revert to the fact that a Government Department, in the nature of things, cannot be the best instrument to develop mines. Even if they were bought out and came under our control, there would be the greatest possible difference. Civil servants have to carry out their work according to rules and regulations. The private individual is in the happy position that his money is his own. He spends a particular amount upon a particular enterprise, or industry, and if there is some upheaval in the commercial world that renders his work fruitless he loses his money.
