asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the reasons for the reduction in the intake of gypsum rock by the cement factory at Drogheda which has obtained for some months past.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gypsum Rock.
The intake of gypsum rock by Cement Ltd. at their Drogheda factory fluctuates according to the requirements of the factory. The intake figures for December, 1948, and January, 1949, though somewhat lower than the figures for October and November, were about the same as the average intake for the preceding three months and were considerably higher than the monthly average for the earlier part of 1948. There is, therefore, no evidence of any continuous falling off in the demand for gypsum rock at the Drogheda factory.
The Parliamentary Secretary must be aware that some 30 or 40 men were dismissed from the gypsum industries because of the reduction of intake of gypsum rock at the cement factory at Drogheda. Can he not take any steps to ensure that work at Drogheda shall be on a continuous basis?
I understand the Drogheda factory took in more gypsum rock than they required in the earlier part of last year and that, consequently, they had accumulated stocks of gypsum rock on hands and their orders for the later portion of the year were lower as a result.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if the importation of foreign cement has anything to do with this question?
Nothing whatever.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the amount expended to the nearest date available by Mianraí Teo. on borings and initial work in the gypsum area near Kingscourt; and if he can give any indication now of the further mineral potential of this area.
The answer to the first part of the question is £24,000. Until the work has been completed and the results analysed no assessment can be made of the potentialities of the area.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say where the information was obtained that appears in the European Recovery Programme Plan issued by the Minister for External Affairs in which he says that this area is capable of very much extended exploration?
The Deputy is, no doubt, aware that some reports have already been made available.