asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the progress that has been made in the past year in developing the north Clare phosphate mines.
7.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clare Phosphate Mines.
6.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if any investigation of the north Clare phosphate mines has been made with a view to ascertaining the phosphate content as a source of fertiliser.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
A study of the economic potential of the north Clare phosphate deposits, initiated by me last year, is continuing. The object of the study is to establish whether the deposits represent a viable source of phosphate for fertiliser. I am now considering an interim report which indicates that further drilling will be required to provide additional evidence as to the nature and extent of the deposits. Even if the expenditure involved is found to be justified it may be some time before this study can be completed.
That answer is similar to one given to me in reply to a question on 22nd May, 1974, when I asked the Minister if he would have an investigation of the potential value of the north Clare phosphate mines with a view to reopening them. The Minister replied, and I quote him——
It is not in order to have quotations at Question Time.
When the Minister was asked if the investigation would be carried out shortly he replied that the original examination was undertaken at a time when there were extraordinary rises in the price of North African phosphate. He also said he had a figure of 1,500,000 million tons which he stated seemed rather small in relation to our requirements. I pointed out to the Minister that in the war years, with antiquated and limited equipment, it was discovered that between Kilfenora and Doolin and estimated 10 million tons were found as a result of ordinary borings. With regard to the question of fertilisers, last January the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries was asked about the production of fertilisers in this country to counteract the enormous amount of money spent on imports. At that time I suggested an investigation——
I am anxious to assist the Deputy to elicit information. He may not proceed by way of quotation and speechmaking.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries promised us in this House that he would refer my suggestion to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries.
Obviously the increase in the price of rock phosphate from North Africa does make the production of phosphate here a more economic proposition, and that changed circumstance is being taken into account in the study to which I referred. Subsequent to the Deputy's last question on the matter the Minister set up a working group who met in June, July, September and December, 1974, and in March, 1975. This working group have presented their report to the Minister and it covers such matters as the geology of the area, techniques of extraction and the economics of the project. The report has indicated that further drilling would be required to establish the extent of the rock phosphate desposits there. It would be necessary to have that information on the extent of the deposits before a decision could be made as to whether it is economic for NET or any other such body to initiate actual extraction.