§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he can state the extent to which investigations as to the mineral resources of county Clare have been carried out; and whether the reports show that it is possible to obtain coal or any mineral product in payable quantities in county Clare?
820W
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLThe Geological Survey of Ireland have surveyed the county Clare, and the maps and memoirs compiled by this survey contain information regarding the occurrence of minerals in the county. These memoirs indicate that coal occurs in thin seams in some portions of the county. The Department's economic geologist will, when time permits, make a further investigation with a view to ascertaining whether coal is likely to be found in payable quantities. Some years ago the Department had an inquiry made regarding the occurrence of lead in different parts of Clare, where some mines had previously been worked. Their expert reported that a large expenditure of money would be necessary to reopen the abandoned shafts, etc., with the object of ascertaining whether the deposits would be worthy of exploitation.