asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the copper mines at Allihies, Castletownbere, County Cork, at one time gave employment to 600 or 800 men when the mines were worked by an English company; that this company went out of production when the price of copper dropped, and that these mines are now idle; and if he is further aware that, according to local opinïon, the supply of copper ore there is practically inexhaustible; and, if so, if he will have a survey of the district carried out and a report published so as to interest native or foreign investors, who may reopen these mines and thus give much needed employment in the district.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Copper Mines.
I am aware of the history of the mines referred to by the Deputy. The district was examined geologically as late as 1928 and it is extremely unlikely that a re-examination on similar lines would add anything to the existing information. Full reports as to these deposits are available at the Geological Survey Office and may be inspected by any interested party.