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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 15 Feb 1950

Vol. 119 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kerry Slate Deposits.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the urgent necessity for reopening the Valentia Island slate quarries and whether he is prepared to allocate a grant for this purpose.

The reopening of the Valentia Island slate quarries is a matter for private enterprise. I have no funds at my disposal which would enable me to give a grant for this purpose, but any person or group of persons with the necessary qualifications proposing to reopen them will be given all the information available in my Department.

Would it not be possible to make an allocation from the Department by way of experiment which would enable the local committee to carry out boring and preliminary work, so that at a later date when it would be possible to deal with the whole countryside through a general project, it would be apparent to people who would be anxious to invest, that this was a reasonable proposition?

The Deputy must get out of the habit of making a speech instead of asking a supplementary question.

Is the Minister satisfied that private enterprise is going to give us the slates we require for housing at present?

In answer to Deputy Flynn, the Deputy no doubt is aware that a geological survey was carried out in 1933 and it was decided on the basis of that survey that the quarries were both dangerous and difficult and that the slate rock found there was more suitable for flags than for roofing tiles. Having this consideration in mind, it was not considered practical or possible on a commercial basis to develop it. I think that answers Deputy Hickey as well.

May I say that the man sent down there at that time was the manager of Killaloe slate quarry?

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the valuable slate deposits in in Benitee mountain, adjacent to Cahirciveen, which, if developed, would provide much needed employment in the area, and if so, whether he will take steps to have these deposits worked.

I am aware that deposits of slate are to be found in the area mentioned. Their development is a matter for private enterprise and any person undertaking this work will be provided with all the technical information available in my Department.

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