asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state in regard to the commencement of exploratory drilling in the Connaught coalfield (1) when a decision was taken in regard to it, (2) the present position, and (3) whether it is proposed to drill for minerals other than coal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Connaught Coalfield: Exploratory Drilling.
46.
Under an Agreement concluded in June, 1957, between this country and the United States of America money was allocated from the Grant Counterpart Fund for expenditure on a programme of exploration to evaluate the coal resources in the Leinster and Connaught coalfields. The programme was to be carried out in stages, the first two stages consisting of the drilling of a number of boreholes in the Leinster coalfield and the third stage consisting of the drilling of boreholes in the Connaught coalfield.
In May, 1960, a contract was placed with a firm of drilling contractors for the drilling of not less than 6,000 feet in boreholes in the Connaught coalfield. Work under the contract, which is expected to take nineteen months to complete, commenced in July, 1960. By the end of October, 1960, approximately 670 feet in boreholes had been drilled.
While the drilling is aimed at establishing reserves of coal, all drilling cores recovered are being examined by the Geological Survey for the presence of minerals other than coal.
Could the Minister give us an idea where in Connaught the tests are being made?
I am afraid I have not got details of that. If the Deputy would like to put down a question, I shall see if I can answer it.