asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the cause of the reduction in the output of slates in Ireland from 9,676 tons in 1938 to 3,098 tons in 1948.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Production of Slates.
The production of slates is carried on by private enterprise, and I am not in a position to state the cause of the reduction in the output of slates between the years 1938 and 1948. I assume that the rate of production is governed by economic factors affecting this particular industry, including the competitiveness of other roofing materials and the trading results experienced by the owners of slate quarries.
How could that be? How could the rate of production be governed by competition from other roofing materials? I already informed the Parliamentary Secretary that they have orders in hand and if they got no other orders it would take them ten years to comply with the demand. Surely competition is not a factor at all in this matter? Even the Belfast or Glasgow suppliers would keep them going, not to mind any more. How is it we could produce 9,676 tons in 1938 and only 3,098 tons in 1948, at a time when the demand was much higher? Will the Parliamentary Secretary agree to draw the attention of the Industrial Development Authority to this matter?
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that there is a valuable slate quarry in Kilcummin, near Killarney, and that some years ago a grant of £250 was allocated for clearing the surface and, if this money was expended, if he will state by whom and with what result; and, further, what help will now be given by his Department should a limited liability company be formed to work this quarry.
I am aware that there is a slate quarry at the place mentioned by the Deputy. In 1934 a grant of £250 from the Relief Schemes Vote was made available for the opening of this quarry, but it was not taken up at the time and was not renewed. From the information available to me I would not feel justified in recommending that a grant should now be made; but if a company, with the necessary financial and technical resources, were formed to work the quarry, I should be prepared to consider them for a State mining lease and would also provide them with all the technical information about the quarry available in my Department.